HARTFORD BIKE POLO

10/14/2014

An old un/underused 185' x 85' skating rink in Hartford's Sheldon/Charter Oak Neighbourhood will finally provide peeps of all levels of skill and interest a suitable venue for Bike Polo in the Hartford area.

09/08/2013

A beautiful morning for polo! Thanks to Robby for help with the mallet building workshoppe.

C ya at 11 in Heaven (downtown Hartford)

09/04/2013

http://www.npr.org/2013/08/21/213882902/with-an-urban-facelift-vintage-bike-polo-picks-up-speed

Several vintage sports have seen resurgence among young people lately: roller derby, kickball and even bocce ball. But one century-old sport hasn't just found new fans; it's getting an urban face-lift.

09/03/2013

Thanks to all who came out for Sunday's Knock Around Session. Good times were had by all and we were fortunate enough to escape rain free and totally dry.

More mallets will be made in time for next Sunday September 8th 11:00am at Heaven which seemed to work well as a play site for the moment. Look for the FB event created in the next day or so...

08/23/2013

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.368503693252675.1073741833.218030304966682&type=3

Ok, here's the most intriguing find and a true dark-horse candidate. This is an abandoned street hockey court in Manchester at the former NIKE missile site, not a recreational area and magnet school. Judging by the size this was designed to be used for hockey on foot rather than skates, but could work VERY well for polo if... Likely we'd have to take the initiative to clean and w**d the site, and some of the cracks are substantial but the advantage of adopting this site is that it would be ours to use practically exclusively for polo...that's a good way to develop the game in the area: a true home and then with some success approach the town about maintenance and upgrades...

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/bgWUz

08/23/2013

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.368502723252772.1073741832.218030304966682&type=3

On Sundays this site usually isn't often used. More access to a parking area during certain times that is flat and vast and in relatively good shape. Across the street is another possible lot at Sage Park Middle School...

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/bjkr3

08/23/2013

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.368501206586257.1073741831.218030304966682&type=3

I noticed this cute and recently paved / very flat lot en route to cheque out other venues. It's very small and good for practice, but the ball could easily skip past the fence detracting from the actual useability of the site.

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/mZnpl

08/23/2013

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.368499519919759.1073741830.218030304966682&type=3

After chequing out the UCONN Greater Hartford Campus I was in the neighbourhood and decided to stop by my olde stomping grounds where I played polo in middle and high school with Brazillian Croquet Mallets and a tennis ball with soda cans set up for goal posts. The asphault is in really good condition, but definitely graded towards the sewer grate. Consider this a nostalgic site but definitely playable...

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/bdrqq

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.224496617653384.31799.218030304966682&type=3

08/23/2013

The current UCONN Greater Hartford Campus contains vast sections of parking on Trout Brook Drive in West Hartford that go unused particularly on weekends. The grade is relatively flat but slightly angled to allow for drainage as would be the case. The condition of the asphalt is better than that at Renssalaer Hartford with fewer cracks and no w**ds to alter the course of the ball.

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/jCq5A

08/23/2013

Ok, so this is more a pipe dream than a legit site, especially since the word is the Landlords are incredibly difficult and have no positive vision whatsoever, so this plaza lays dormant across from the Wadsworth and is wholly and utterly pathetic. Would be wonderful to play here one day!

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/BM5M2

08/23/2013

New cement surface - no cars to worry about, only special events. This platform is also used by the outdoor skating rink in the winter. It's best suited for 2 on 2 play, a bit small for 3 on three, but we could try. The planters offer additional obstacles, but they may not be there year 'round. Good visibility from park goers that could help promote the game.

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/O5mXt

08/23/2013

Available weekends, particularly Sundays. Open space with a barely noticeable grade. Surface has some cracks and w**ds but would be mostly playable. Police in cruisers on break are known to hang out there, but wouldn't expect that to be a problem.

MAP: http://goo.gl/maps/pbYDT