St Patricks week- Derry Bike Polo Tournament + Dublin bike festival + tourney?

Also, belfastfgss seems to have died, regrettably.

The idea is to promote cycling and polo not to demote it, especially for a younger generation.

I have some project ideas regarding cycling schemes.... i.e bikes for the community through a recycling scheme and the likes and there is a skate park here

I have achieved what I set out to achieve by posting this thread. A decent number of people seem interested in coming to Derry and Dublin, which as a double event seems quite attractive to me. For these people I will happily organize the event, even though I am busy with final year studies... Derry is a very interesting place to visit for a couple of days, historically and in terms of politically current affairs and although it is not up to speed in many ways there is a lot to be learned by visiting....

Secondly, I don't know why you're challenging that the team was a Derry team. This seems ambiguous. Technically I recruited the lads to join the team. could not attend the tournament it was unfortunate but I'm glad that the lads went to represent and part take...

I'm getting a feeling that Derry doesn't appeal to you personally as a place to visit for a polo tournament, but the idea is to host a little tournament and have some fun, with the Dublin event on the same week

I'm not sure about your view of people traveling to events in order compete against local teams exclusively. I can only speak for myself in this regard as I go to the tournaments to enjoy the atmosphere and challenge of playing against new players. It could be said that I am not as fortunate as you guys living in London, in the sense that you have access to so many players and games, but I don't see the need for challenging the suitability of my hosting a tournament. If people come, that would be great. If they don't. Hey! That's life.

We will have one Derry only team and we might not have the best expertise but it's about taking part and having fun. At least it is for me.

Also, belfastfgss seems to have died, regrettably.

That's not true. There is a new fixed gear shop opened in Belfast and there's a couple of guys there who play polo, or were at a time. I'm in contact with two people involved in whatever network there is in Belfast. Again the idea is to do anything we can to promote cycling, not to isolate it to metropolis sized cities only.

I don't think cycling culture can die, only grow. Anyway, I guess this is subjective. I would appreciate if you stuck to the topic of derry city polo tournament. This thread has already gone off on a tangent that would be quite confusing for those attempting to read it. I've not done much to help this but anyway.

'wheelornowheel' would be the man to ask about any Belfast related cycling questions. You'll find him on this thread.

Cheers

That's not true

I meant the belfastfgss forum. It disappeared a few months back and hasnt resurrected.

I think you've taken me up wrong on the tone of my message, thats a drawback of the internet I guess. Maybe I should use more smiley faces.
I'd love to visit Derry again, its a nice town, also close to Donegal, beautiful.
I'll PM you a response to you other points some time over the weekend and leave the thread to the organisation of your tournament. Good luck with it, I hope it comes together for you.

Just to keep this up to date the tournament is intended to be a one day event now, taking place on the 16th of March starting early a.m. A funding presentation has been made and sent off so the funding application process is looking good.

A bus will be organized that night for Dublin where the courier festival will be taking place with alley cats all weekend- at night. During the day on Saturday there is a polo tournament in Dublin and there will be some form of transport organized to take us to dublin (bus)

I will update with any info asap. Thank you for any interest.

Ciaran

There is a new fixed gear shop opened in Belfast

Really?

Really?

Yeah. That's what wheel or no wheel told me and he lives in belfast. btw are you a low fan? The great destroyer is the name of their 2005 album.

Been open a while now. Here's what Joe from the shop said on another thread

glad I could help! sometimes its just a matter of persistance and a bit of luck when it comes to freeing seized parts. although the freeing spray I got from the car mechanics seems to work wonders!

As regards the shop - its still very much in its infancy. Read on if you have time...

The space we have on Ormeau Avenue is just and office and not really suited to a full workshop. its on the second floor, and its difficult to lug full bikes up and down, and we don't have a full workstation with a bench/vise etc. so the plan is to have that for sales and basic workshop stuff - like installing new parts. we're still stocking up on stuff, but at this stage we've got a lot of basics like chains, cogs, tyres + tubes, wheels (I'm a qualified wheelbuilder), brakes. saddles etc etc. I've a few second-hand frames and parts, but a lot of that stuff has already been built and ridden around the city.
There is a bunch of road stuff there too, and we can order full bikes in if required. For fixed/SS, we can get Brev, Cinelli, Tifosi, Decade (kinesis) - with more brands being added all the time.
There was a dream to have a fully functioning cafe too, but thats on the long finger due to the expense involved in setting it up. For now, we usually have a pot of coffee on the go, some snacks, and plenty of seating - so if anyone drops in they are welcome to that for free.
The only time we're guaranteed to be there is monday and friday evenings, from 5-7 (or usually later). And I'm usually available for house calls around belfast for any urgent repairs or parts delivery.
So feel free to call in any monday or fridday evening for a look around and a coffee. Or call the phone numbers on the website for anything urgent (as in the case this week with the seized BB). We can normally get around at lunchtimes during the week if you need something in a hurry, and

Hope it works out, two new bike shops in Belfast in about as many months! I'm not a big Low fan (although I might be going to see them on the 30th) but it's more of a NIN reference....unfortunately!

No reply from the city of culture yet or from any of the prospective sponsorship groups that were applied to, so may have to forget about this altogether. No money, no honey.

If anything comes about it will be posted here but I guess Derry is not ready for a polo tournament. Come to Dublin for st patricks weekend events

Pretty shit news Ciaran. It would be good to see this happening in derry

Is the Dublin tourney still on?

I'd love a trip to Ireland, and a tourney with 2 Irish team mates would great! ;)

They're investigating a warehouse option at the moment, the weather in March in Dublin is notoriously unreliable.

bit of an update.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/290212634348964/#!/groups/290212634348964/

looks like there are a few events joining forces, i just heard about this moments ago so dont know anything else appart from this fb page

They're investigating a warehouse option at the moment, the weather in March in Dublin is notoriously unreliable.

oh yeh, we've been looking into this for a while now. its not really worth coming over if were relying on the march weather. twill keep ye posted on here

Pretty shit news Ciaran. It would be good to see this happening in derry

Yeah I know man but without funds it's neigh impossible. Not giving up just making people aware that it's looking unlikely-ish. Looking at a warehouse space this week but again without money it's gonna be tough. Might work out

I know what you mean. Keep us posted on what's happening. If you need a hand with anything give me a shout and I'll see what I can do

I'll be up in Derry/donegal sometime after Christmas do I'll get in touch if you fancy a pint

Hold on. Just got some news that means we may be back online. Sustrans cycling charity are saying they will provide 'some' fuding for the event

Yeah we should def meet up. Will do man. You have my number anyway! I have yours. We'll do it

FYI Phatyack, just remembered: the London League Cup is on Sat March 17th

Great news charcoes

I'll be in touch

FYI Phatyack, just remembered: the London League Cup is on Sat March 17th

poop, thats unfortunate

So is the Dublin tourney going ahead? And what date will it be might have a couple of teams worth of peeps interested in coming over.