Birmingham Bike Polo Chat & BS Thread

We could rob a load of these bits of plastic for those. or get old skirting boards/floorboards.

Wouldn't it be preferable to have the boards flush against the fence?

In this photo is the ball lying outside the court? i.e. is that post on the outside?

@stu, nah that post is on the inside, the entire one length of the lower court uses the large outer fence of the facility rather than a waist high fence. It would ideally be covered to handlebar height but the cheaper (possibly only available) option may be to use 20-30cm boards to bridge these gaps, the gaps between the posts are around 2m, and about 10cm in depth. Dan suggested we could use timbers of the same depth to plug the gaps and sit flush with the posts - however, boards would be easier and cheaper than timbers.

I think we should do an initial costing for barriers all the way around 20-30cm high, plus 2x 2m high boards to cover goals per court plus court entrance gaps of a similar size. We can then work out what is more realistic, if this isn't achievable.

Reclaimed wood and other bits will be our best option, and we can store/collect stuff in the warehouse, with Asim's minibus to possibly collect (assumption). This should/could start immediately.

The drains can be solved, one is almost flush, and so not a problem, the other could be covered with a rubber tile; like those found in kids play areas, cut to size and trimmed for a snug fit.

This can all be discussed in depth at tomorrow's meeting, and we should then all go down together to measure, walk round, play, scratch chins and finalise the wood requirements.

Some advice on finding scrap wood: go to Selly Oak.
Loads of student house refurbs going on all the time. There's usually about 5 skips in the area at any one time and they've often got flooboards, wardrobes etc. I won't be able to dedicate much, if any, time to this but just thought I'd let you know

The gaps under the green section of fencing are not even or consistent.
So would the 2x4 be sat in front of the fencing around the whole perimeter or were you thinking small section underneath? If the latter then they need to be cut/planed to size.

*I think 1x4 (2.5x10cm) is cheaper too.
By my calculations for 1x4 (3.5m @ £4) would be over £150 per court, more than twice as expensive.
My initial plywood calculation included covering goals (same height as LO/Hell's Bells) and court entrances but not high boards for the lower court.

@stu Hardboard costs about the same as ply.

I'm going to contact a reclaimed wood project tomorrow.

@ Neil, i'll bring my balaclava

The gaps under the green section of fencing are not even or consistent....

....If the latter then they need to be cut/planed to size.

Yeah dan mentioned bringing a plane, and making them wedge underneath to sit flush with the frontages.

For the goals and entrances I could get hold of some covered pallets from the warehouse, 3 should fit, which could then be connected with a beam at the back, this would be free standing and then could slid in and out of position.

Yeah dan mentioned bringing a plane, and making them wedge underneath to sit flush with the frontages.

Great. Let's get some proper measurements done soon.

Dropped my pink polo pos off at the bike shop on Tuesday for some new gearing.

what do people recommend for BHM polo? It's currently 22/16 which is way too low and 32/16 was too high. So what do people recon?

I run 32/20 (700c) freewheel. 43.22 gear inches. 38-45 is best.

Yeah, use Sheldon Brown's gear inch calculator, as tyre size affects the 'hardness' of the gear, so you need to factor that in too.

I used to use 38", which was low, but my suplesse is beyond reproach, so I could deal with it. Tyre, wheel and bike changes have crept it up to it's current 44" which is definitely a bit too high my style on normal courts, but I deal with it by getting out of the saddle to beast the pedals a bit more from stationary rushes. 41-43" seems best for me.

It depends on your style/abilities and where you play.

If you can get out of the saddle to sprint, and have a decent power-weight ratio you can gear up (I reckon 50% of Brummie players can't/don't do that though...) but wheelie turns/goals will be a bit harder, and you may want to develop a flowing style where you try to avoid coming to a complete halt. Also choose this option if you're naturally a low-cadence rider. Clipless pedals and stiff shoes also help you stay on top of a harder gear.

If you're heavy/weak or can't/won't get out of the saddle to sprint and are a naturally high-cadence rider who still uses flats, then go easier.

From what I can remember of your style/abilities I'd say 38-42" ish?

I have a theory that you should be spinning out a few times each game, otherwise you could be more effective in the predominant slower-paced parts by gearing down.

Phew...

I used to use 38", which was low, but my suplesse is beyond reproach, so I could deal with it...

Golden.

http://leagueofbikepolo.com/sites/leagueofbikepolo.com/files/NAH-rules-v2-DRAFT.pdf

PDF of the new, updated, intercontinental ruleset. I haven't read it myself yet, but I've been keeping abreast of the debate in the LHBPA thread. Feedback seems overwhelmingly positive. There's still time to offer feedback/ask for clarifications though.

Key points for us are the banning of Euro cheater mallets (cutouts larger than 57mm I think) so sorry LJ and possibly Lucas and Stu. Although it will finally mean that Stu's 'head for a lifetime' will be retired and he can get a 3pmh.

Tapping out seems to be dieing out as a punishment for anything other than foot-downs (more turnovers/time penalties).

Also, ball-jointing is only going to be allowed in your own (defensive) half. Awesome! Bummer for 2squeak and Claudbutler.

There seems to a consensus forming amongst opinion makers that shuffles should be allowed, so expect that in the 2013 rules!

Thats a piss poor link dan! Is it the NAH-rules-V2-Draft? If so, i'll print off a couple of copies for the meeting.

22:16 ratio is fine

Fixed it, but thanks for the constructive criticism Neeeeiil.

Thanks Dan. I'll put some copies in my bag.

[URL="http://leagueofbikepolo.com/sites/leagueofbikepolo.com/files/NAH-rules-v2-DRAFT.pdf"][/URL]Stu's 'head for a lifetime' will be retired and he can get a 3pmh

It is a 3pmh. I printed out their design and used it as a template

22:16 ratio is fine

It's really not, even with my turn of high cadence when needed, I feel almost unstable at such a low ratio. it's quite amusing though...

Yeah, use Sheldon Brown's gear inch calculator, as tyre size affects the 'hardness' of the gear, so you need to factor that in too.

I used to use 38", which was low, but my suplesse is beyond reproach, so I could deal with it. Tyre, wheel and bike changes have crept it up to it's current 44" which is definitely a bit too high my style on normal courts, but I deal with it by getting out of the saddle to beast the pedals a bit more from stationary rushes. 41-43" seems best for me.

It depends on your style/abilities and where you play.

If you can get out of the saddle to sprint, and have a decent power-weight ratio you can gear up (I reckon 50% of Brummie players can't/don't do that though...) but wheelie turns/goals will be a bit harder, and you may want to develop a flowing style where you try to avoid coming to a complete halt. Also choose this option if you're naturally a low-cadence rider. Clipless pedals and stiff shoes also help you stay on top of a harder gear.

If you're heavy/weak or can't/won't get out of the saddle to sprint and are a naturally high-cadence rider who still uses flats, then go easier.

From what I can remember of your style/abilities I'd say 38-42" ish?

I have a theory that you should be spinning out a few times each game, otherwise you could be more effective in the predominant slower-paced parts by gearing down.

Phew...

Thanks gearing guru Dan,

I looked on the main polo forum but couldn't make my mind up. Too high a gear and my knee caps will want to leave like with 32/16. 22/16 feels horrid, way too low, spin out very quickly.

so with a 16 on the back, 700c wheels with skinny tyres (cant remember actual size) what do I we think is optimal simple gear?

Neil are you still giving my mallet some loving? I made another one but it's not as nice...

With Speedway, 2 new jobs and all the other crap I get upto i'll be lucky if I can get to polo much more than once a quarter, unless Thursday practice is more than theoretical?

^ Try 24/16

Stu, asim, lucas, monty, sarah, si and anybody else who wants a copy of the minutes from last night's meeting, can you PM me your email address and I can pass them along.

The winner of the BigxTop hip pouch is going to be announced on the Sunday 15th of April. So keep a close eye on those 'up and coming' players as i'll be asking everyone for their vote.

Just emailed the minutes through from last night