Okay, here’s the premise behind bike polo: like the version played on horseback, teams of cyclists, armed with mallets, try to push a ball through the opposing side’s goal. A small group of bicycling enthusiasts in Roanoke have gotten together several times so far to try out bike polo. John Johnson is leading the effort; he would like to put together a team or two here and play against organized squads from places like Blacksburg, where he says it’s been going on for some time.
Johnson fashioned mallets out of ski poles and plastic piping for the latest bike polo match, which took place last Saturday at Highland Park on the tennis courts. Combatants went at it without helmets and protective gear for the most part, something Johnson says doesn’t happen in more formal league settings. One notable rule: riders who lose their balance and place a foot on the ground must ride off of the playing field and touch a designated spot with their mallet before returning to action.
“It’s usually 3 on 3 [players per side], from what I’ve seen,” said Johnson, with one of those tending goal as well. Having a few teams in Roanoke “would be wonderful,” said Johnson last Saturday during a break in the match. “We’d print up some polo shirts, it would be really cool.”
Johnson learned about bike polo in Chicago, where his wife attends graduate school. “I’ve played with those guys,” noted Johnson. There are even championships played by teams across the country. He recommends a used cycle, maybe on the smaller side, as the ideal bike polo equipment.
Hard core bike polo players may even cover their wheel spokes with cardboard so that the ball or mallets can’t damage them. They may also switch the rear brake control to their non-mallet hand, so they don’t stop suddenly and go over the handlebars when pressing the more sensitive front brakes – since they are holding on to the handlebar with just one hand.
Players kept riding over the plastic balls being used at Highland Park, rendering them useless, so a harder ball or a rubber one might be in order. “It’s a good time to join because we’re all learning,” said River Laker, one of those playing last weekend. He took a tumble off his bike at one point and wound up with a head laceration – a helmet might have helped there.
“Women can play too,” said the ubiquitous Laker, who programs the Emerging Artists series for Roanoke City Libraries. “It’s kind of an urban sport,” he said, “nice to see that here in Roanoke.”
(See more about the sport at hardcourtpolo.com and visit Laker’s Facebook page for local match info.)
By Gene Marrano [email protected]
Very nice article! Thanks for exposing the public to this new sport in Roanoke.
Words Roanoke heads! We’ve had a Blacksburg townie “league” for <4 years now and we need to connect on the court! We'll be in contact soon!
Roanoke Bike Polo: Great to hear you guys finally got your act together to play some bike polo. I would recommend you look into safety equipment. Helmets at the least. And don’t forget to check out leagueofbikepolo.com for more bike polo news.