North London Polo

This is what I have (before I retaped them) but I dont know if I want to change the drops on the geared. Might wait until the fixed is up and running

you can play on drops, but i found it quite restricting for the short time i played on mine, IMO when it comes to polo, risers FTW, but then you might wanna play a bit before you start hacking up your everyday bike...

:D
Well let me know when you lot decide on the area, and stuff and I'll be down. I'm very new to all this so gunna need some patience! :P

Good to see more polo getting off the ground. Good luck with it.

Yesterday's scout threw up some interesting places, but nothing perfect. A lot of the courts were in the middle of estates (i.e. with housing on all 4 sides many stories high), which would not be ideal for us or the residents.

Best all-rounder was Malden Rd NW5

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=51.550346,-0.153305&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=18&sll=51.550348,-0.153315&sspn=0.001651,0.004823&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=18

It has floodlights, decent surface, good fence, but it is huge

There are 2 courts this size, side by side.

Next is Kingsford St, NW5

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=51.552654,-0.155301&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=18&sll=51.5526,-0.155042&sspn=0.001651,0.004823&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=18

This is a little on the small side, no floodlights, and maybe some gaps at the bottom of the fence. It's not circular as shown on google maps, but looks like this:

Then we have Oppidan's Road, NW3. This may be a little on the small side too (definitely quite narrow) and also no floodlights, but it is in good condition:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=51.541958,-0.159165&daddr=&geocode=&hl=en&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=19&sll=51.541887,-0.159162&sspn=0.000826,0.002411&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=19

So overall I think that Malden Rd is a good place to start, considering it has floodlights.

No. 3 is definitely too small for 3 on 3, it looks similar to the thunderdome (an old West court) which was pretty restrictive with 6 players.

Maybe for 2 on 2?

Yeah 2 on 2 play is good on a court like that, 3 on 3 is possible but you don't realise how crap it is until you play on a bigger 'proper' sized court.

Just a suggestion: I would say that Tuesday would NOT be a good idea. As soon as it picks up people will reather play than move to Norths. Also you REALLY need to find a covered court as well. With the days getting drastically shorter and shorter over the coming months you'll not be able to play long before darkness after work.

Check the Wests thread for the car park it looks like we're gonna be using for winter...

Also make it NOT Monday if poss cos I'm sure there are plenty of Westies who'd be willing to trek to play with you guys...

Take a ball with you and roll it round, some of the courts we looked at for WeLo looked great but had a slight camber on them which rendered them prety unplayable

That first court looks good to me, too big isn't soo much of a problem, I wouldn't worry about cover just yet, just choose a night and get playing, having a group of regulars that will turn up is the first hurdle (bigger than finding the right court) once you've got that you can move to better courts...

I think the first court is in the housing area where my cousin lives, it's rough, but fine to play in a group I guess.

Great you've got a court, you've got a day, Tuesday, so lets do it. This Tuesday?

Might be in. My bike is too mashed to cycle to Tuesday tricks but I could coast along to this.

There is Elthorne park between where I live and Crouch End. recently refurbished. I think it has floodlights and its a good size, not as big as Malden I reckon. It might be tarmac'd aswell?? I'll go check tomorrow.

One more thought though on these summer vacation days it would be a battleground between us and kids off school playing football. After september however it'd be completely free I imagine.

edit: dont know how to do google maps coordinates but search for Hazelville Road, n19 and thats what I was referring to.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=51.570597,-0.125962&daddr=&hl=en&geocode=&mra=mi&mrsp=0&sz=19&sll=51.570607,-0.12583&sspn=0.000954,0.002398&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=19

Looks like it might be a good one. Let us know once you've had a look.

I might not have my bike ready for tomorrow in any case - discovered that my chainring was the wrong BCD for my cranks. Have another on the way, but doubt it will arrive tomorrow. Next week is out for me as I'm on holiday, so will have to be the following week.

Can anyone think of car parks or other covered locations in N London? I can't...

just found a nice court just off holloway road:
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=51.561258,-0.120962&spn=0.001574,0.003449&t=k&z=18&msid=103909328486609395613.000471e7204a06a30c0b2

no lights, but fully caged in with a pretty nice surface. Apparently (i asked someone in the 'park' area) its not in regular use.

Any news on the court yet ?

I'll be up for coming next week.

I'm definetly in, and i know 3 others who are also in. i live in tufnell park so this is perfect.
Look forward to meeting you all,

ps none of us have ever played..... we can learn though right... :)

now lets get sorting me-self a nice spinny polo-bike!

I'm happy to teach people the basics, have a spare mallet I can bring too.

Who's in for next Tuesday then ?

Have we got a definite location ?

Alright, let's do this. There's a large, floodlit court just by the Hawley Arms. Who is up for next Tuesday, 6pm? Court isn't exactly perfect, but it'll do for a start. Hopefully.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=&sll=51.546115,-0.126954&sspn=0.001852,0.006872&ie=UTF8&ll=51.543042,-0.144646&spn=0.001852,0.006872&t=h&z=18

Next Tuesday??? why not this tuesday?
I'd be up for a few games before football as it's on route

Emab will play.. he is a polo whore, eh em?

In.

I can't make today, but go for it if you want to!

Emab will play.. he is a polo whore, eh em?

poliggolo