Tour de Fat Oct 2010

We volunteered for the polo expo at Tempe Beach . Belgium Beer helped make the day great. Fat Tire is my fav. But I heard the IPA's were the best.

Tuesdays Storm and Wednesday Polo

Hallowed Grounds

Around 7th Street and Thunderbird road, Phx. Az. This is only an example of the destruction, October 4th and 5th, 2010.

Un-typical weather for October. 50 mile an hour winds and large hail in some parts of the Valley. Downed trees and power lines. One car dealer on the west side lost 80 cars and trucks to hail damage. Flagstaff had tornado's destroy homes, and cut a devastating swath through the Forrest. I have lived in Az since 1959. Never seen anything like this.

Tue evening, some flooding through out the valley. Polo at the YMCA was obviously canceled. So we figured Wed. polo at the sacred grounds, Desert Storm Park, would be canceled too. I walked the field around 2pm Wed. Dry, clean and freshly mowed. A real magical place. We played. 8 players showed up. Three unbelievable games. Each so close, anyone could have beat the other.

Monday Funday's...The parking lot at Southern and Dorsey

This is our night for Noob's and a more casual play. The Tempe spot has been in action for a couple years. Most of the originators have long gone, but is being preserved by new and very good talent and dedicated polo ambassador's. The emphasis is on bike polo promotion and entry level play.

Southern and Dorsey, Grace Community Church parking lot. Mondays at 8pm to ?

A very special thanks to Julio and Justin for set-up, tear-down, storage of the end boards every Monday night. Keep on truckin'

Before and After...Mid 90's to Current Polo Steed

This is finally it!! With the help of friends and my local bike shop (the Pig), it's done. Test ride tonight, Monday polo. Southern and Dorsey, Tempe. 8 PM.

I changed the front fork. Less suspension corrected and straight blade. Feels way better

After: 17.5 VooDoo frame, Surly 21 rear cog and singlulator, XT brakes with Ultimate brake booster, MKE 35tooth ring and bash guard, KMC 1/8" chain, Aluminum suspension corrected fork, BMX 70mm stem, Hellbent bars, white lock on grips, Sun Mammoth rims, XTR 36 spoke hubs, with Maxxis Holly Roller tires.

Before: 17.5 VooDoo w/ Shimaon STX-Rc componants, Mavic 231, Ritchy tires, RockShock Jet, Titec bars, Onza bar ends, WTB saddle.

This is addicting. Finding a gem and turning it into a usable, everyday single speed daily driver and polo bike.

In The News...Mesa Community College

http://media.www.mesalegend.com/media/storage/paper1271/news/2010/09/20/Sports/Bike-Polo-3933169.shtml

Grass polo malets

Morphed over a 14 year period. A long way from a piece of 2x4 and hickory.

Special Wed and Grass Polo

Last night was one to remember. 14 bikes, 14 players, 14 malets, 28 wheels, at least 896 spokes, and one lit ball. We split into 3 teams . No throw in here. The old highschool way, 3 captains and pick-um.

I think 6, twelve minute games were played and each team won one and lost one. Very evenly matched. The level of play was kicked up a notch too. Joe Guarino, a transplant from LA, and seasoned polo player, brought his family out to share in grass polo and BBQ. He brought ribs.

On the grill : Boca burgers, Pork ribs, Large beef franks, Hot and spicy chicken brots, Beef burgers, Oh and Daveys extra large, bacon covered burger. Nathan Perryman brought Potato salad and cut fresh water melon, Jason Boyd really stepped up and helped me out a ton.

What a fun mid-week treat. Felt like a camping trip. Next time we'll add smores'. Or maybe a beer permit. Yea ok beer !!

JB...N.O.D

Fastest Human Powered Bicycle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5V2FgwN_re4