Bike Polo:
Ryan McCullough
Every Monday, a small group gathers at Grace Community Church’s parking lot to play a sport slowly gaining popularity.Bicycle polo can be played on grass or asphalt. Each team has three members.
The first team to five points wins.
If at any point during the game, a player’s feet touch the ground, the player must go touch a “tap out” point on the court.
Each team has one “tap out” point.
Jeff Boyd, a frequent bike polo player, turned 60 last month.
“I’ll play until I’m 70, until I can’t peddle anymore,” Boyd said.
Boyd has been playing since 1997. Now, three generations of the Boyd family play bike polo. Even three of Boyd’s grandsons participate.
“What’s the old saying? It’s the most fun you’ll have with your clothes on,” said Boyd when describing his love for the sport.
Most players ride modified mountain bicycles, or “mud bikes” as Boyd calls them.
He stated that the teams are close-knit groups.
“We consider ourselves a family here. Anyone that wants to join this group is more than welcome,” Boyd said.
Nick Cocco, another bike polo player, stated that they,”always love new players.”
Cocco has been playing at the church’s parking lot for two and a half years.
Every year the group hosts a tournament, the Desert Polo invite.
Teams from nine different cities around the country attended the event last year, according to Cocco.
Cocco has traveled to Denver, Portland, Albuquerque, and San Diego to play bike polo with other clubs like his.
“The camaraderie is great. People put you up. You make new friends,” said Cocco.
Julio Castro has only been playing for eight months and said his favorite part of the sport is just getting to ride his bike around.
