All Discussions - Cycle Oxford

Winter Polo

TomM — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:14:48 -0400

Hi there all,

Dan has just got hold of some flood lights and a light-up ball, so we can place polo 'till late again!

We're meeting at 6 at the TRAINING CENTRE before heading round to Marsh Road to play on the hard court that there is there.

I would highly recommend turning up this week, should be awesome.

P.S I smell really bad!

Oxford Bike Polo Teams.

mechanic_steven — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 14:01:14 -0400

Hey everyone,

There are a few Bike Polo Tournament happening and we are going to have a couple of Oxford Teams. This Thursday we will give more information and hopefully we all can choose people for our teams.

There is talk of some shirts but we will tell you more when teams are decided, the reason for this is we can make different logo for each team and put the team names on the t-shirts.

Any questions replie back to me and i'll do my best to anwser them.

Thanks,

Steven

Cycle Oxford App!

Dan — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:28:07 -0500

Well it's available for iPhone now in the App Store here and an Android version is on it's way!

Anything that might be useful in added to this app?!?

We're hoping it will help you stay in touch with all our news, videos and tweets.

I want to ride my bike!

mechanic_steven — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:20:10 -0400

Hey Everyone,

I am keen to start riding my Claud butler when my back gets better, been on some trails with Dan and it was sooo much fun!

I know there is not alot of places to go in oxford but we could hire a van and go some where close by with a big forest or woods.

It most possible won't be till next year when it not raining as much or as cold. But would like to know if anyone is interested, so we can have a blast!

thanks :)

Steven

Polo

TomM — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:26:32 -0400

Hey guys,

Polo tomorrow at Cherwell School at 6 PM, we need to get more people turning up each week!

T

Workshop Access

mechanic_steven — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 09:01:10 -0400

Hey Everyone,

Just a few things i would like to say to all our members who use the workshop.

"As a member you share ownership of this space with the other members. We ask that you work tidy and share the responsibility for keeping it tidy and safe."

This is a part of the poster that we have in the workshop with "Members night" on the top of the page, The reason i have put this up for everyone to see it that where some members tidy up after them self other members leave tools on the work bench or leave rubbish on them or on the floor. I am asking everyone to make sure they clean up the work station they have been using, as it will make my job a lot easier. Most times it takes me 2 hours to make sure the workshop is ready for members to use or for a course that will be happening the next day.

The next thing I would like to say to everyone is that when you have finished with the tools you have been using please put them in the correct draws, All of the tools are color coordinated so if the have RED nail polish on them they go in the red draws etc. Also not all of you do this but a small handful leave tools on the floor, please do not do this. It is a health and safety risk, if someone steps on them they could really hurt them self and will damage the tools. Some of our members come in say they don't know how to use our work stands, which is fine we can show you how. but when you turn the heads around (so it can go on you seat tube or top tube) remember to tighten the big dial on the back of the head. A couple have been damage because they have been too loose and have been removed to get fixed, which meant that there was less work stands so not everyone had a work stand to work on. Please take care of the tools.

Our specialist tools are really expensive, please take care of them. The bottom bracket chase and facing tool was left dirty and the blades where left on top of other tools. This tool is really expensive and them cutting blades need to be cleaned after every use and put back on on the cardboard it came from, if that tool gets blunted we will have to remove it from the workshop till we get a replacement which might not be easy as we ain't dealers with park tools anymore.

One last thing, I am trying out a new system for the workshop. So basically at 8:30 I will be coming in the workshop to remind all the members to start thinking of finishing the job they are doing. Then will be coming back into the workshop at 8:45 to ask everyone to start to tidy there work stations so we all can leave for 9 o'clock. As some of you know we have had to stay till 9:30 sometimes even 10 o'clock at night which makes our day longer. 8 o'clock is not an ideal time for members to turn up as some members have done.

Thank you for reading.

Steven

Workshop Access Coordinator.

My frame wants a respray

spacecadet — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 13:39:58 -0400

Anyone out there willing to strip my (hybrid) bike, and respray it, for a price? Assuming you know what you're really doing though eh :)

spare parts? cover for Sturmey-Archer 3-speed shifter?

danny — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 14:08:34 -0400

When I came off my bike, I damaged the shifter on my three-speed - the strip that stops the lever rising has broken off, so changing gears takes a bit of care.

Is there any chance you guys have a spare one of these?

What is your dream Alleycat theme?

Dan — Fri, 27 May 2011 11:53:05 -0400

We've had every kind of Alleycat theme over the last 5 years of Oxford Alleycats from Boys Vs Girls:

To Superheroes

Including Bingo, Sesame Street, Beetlejuice, Science...

There are no end of good themes out there, and we'd love to hear your ideas!

Inspirational videos

JohnEdgar — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 11:15:36 -0400

My mountain/ trails bike has been languishing in the shed for quite some years now, but after watching this video, I'm tempted to go get it now and play!
If only we lived in BC...

Anyone else got any inspirational videos (to include our resident film maker's repertoire, of course)?

What is a Cyclotrope???

Dan — Wed, 25 May 2011 13:17:26 -0400

Friday's Alleycat is The Cyclotrope Alleycat!

Which does pose the question... what is a Cyclotrope??

This video might explain more!

We'll actually be getting you to make your own Cyclotrope and other animation on this Friday as part of the bicycle treasure hunt.

It all kicks off at 6.30pm on Broad Street.

Event page is here

Mallet Heads

TomM — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:35:54 -0400

Hi all,

I am interested in one of those new mallet heads Dan found (http://3pmh.de/?page_id=470), i am not sure if the ones that he got in a few weeks ago have been taken already...? If so, its cheaper if we get a big order of them (i think it is 20?), is anyone interested in getting one??

Thanks

Tom

Bike polo mallets

mechanic_steven — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 08:18:55 -0400

Hey Everyone,

I have been looking for a good mallet for some time now, and i expect alot of you want to make one.

I have found a really nice ski pole which is light weight and strong, it cost £16 from Chainreactioncyles.com for a pair. Dan has found really nice mallet heads as well but i don't know the web address but when i find it ill repost it on here.

My new mallet works like a charm and it ain't broken when i hit the ball hard! My other ski polo is not in use and im up for selling it to anyone who is in need of one, i'm selling it for £8 if anyone is interested replie back or come in to the training centre and ask me about it. also ill help build it up on a workshop access.

Thanks

Thursday Night Bike Polo

mechanic_steven — Wed, 25 May 2011 08:13:02 -0400

hey guys,

everyone looking forward to polo on thursday?

What do you want from Cycle Oxford?

mechanic_steven — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:47:16 -0400

Hey Everyone,

We are interested to know what our members and the public want Cycle Oxford to do.

This could be something that we aren't doing much of or something we aren't doing at all.

Or if we are doing something and you either like it or think we can do better at it then let us know so we can make that topic enjoyable for everyone.

This organisation is owned by our members and we would love it if you can tell us what you want from us.

Thanks

Steven

Got a problem with your bicycle?

mechanic_steven — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 08:43:51 -0400

Hey everyone,

If you are having problems with your bike and can't get it to the training centre or another bike shop, then you can post your problem on this message and I'll talk you through step by step till its fixed or its in a better position to bring it down.

Or even if you want a bit of reminding on how to do something,(I even forget how to do things) then you can post it on here and i'll help you out.

I'm on here nearly everyday so i will get back to you same day.

Thanks.

Skills to practise

JohnEdgar — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:04:33 -0400

The Bristol tournament gave us an idea of the competition out there, and the skills that we need to practise to get ahead.
Here are a number of points or tactics that the other teams were using that should help to up Oxford's game, in no particular order:

Set plays such as a winger setting up the ball for a striker to score
Precision shooting
Holding on to the ball whilst dribbling (inc. dribbling under BB)
Goal keeping
Lobbing
Goal keeping swapping
Communication

For those who are interested in reading quite how we should about this the lfgss forum has a whole sub-forum devoted to bike polo coaching: http://www.lfgss.com/forum58.html

Let's try incorporating some of this into our next session, Thursdays from 6-8pm at Cherwell School tennis course, next to the grass track racers, all equipment provided (free). Beginners welcome!

came off my bike on High St

danny — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 12:30:45 -0400

I came off my bike on High St yesterday and got some nasty bruising and cuts on my face and limbs (and wrote off my glasses). A visit to the JR, but seems like nothing that won't repair (I hope), but I'm wondering what caused it so i can make sure it doesn't happen again.

All I remember is that I was going east down High St, quite fast, with nothing ahead of me and nothing behind me, and the next moment I'm on the ground. Could have been a pothole I didn't see, or maybe my feet came off the pedals and the bike lost balance, or maybe I started braking (?).
Anyone with more cycling experience than me have any advice on the most common causes of this kind of accident?

Looking at the bike (which I hope can be repaired, though a sprained hand means I won't be cycling for a while), both front and back brakes are both jammed on - not sure what happened there - and the handlebars are twisted 90 degrees.

Bicycle ride

mechanic_steven — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 13:09:29 -0400

Hey guys and girls,

I'm getting back into mountain bike rides up at shot over (as its the only decent place in oxford to ride) but most of the people i go with have sold or broken there bikes and its a bit boring on my own. Would anyone be up for a good bike ride up there for a couple of hours?

If you are interested in going with me please reply back and i will be bringing tools and spare tubes if at all needed.

Thanks,

Steven

Bristol bike polo tournament 11th June 2011

JohnEdgar — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 12:31:56 -0400

Several posts in one here so please bear with me:
1. One of our legions of supporters?
Come cheer for Oxford's two teams as they battle against the villainous forces of Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham in the first inter-city bike polo tournament this year. Interested in attending? Reply to this post and details such as venue, times and official train down shall be supplied.

2. One of the highly trained, fighting fit, honed to perfection, members of our two teams?
I think that we should have some identification to differentiate ourselves from the other-towned barbarians.
I suggest clothes in dark blue- most people own such garments, and dark blue is the colour of Oxford. Debate below if and/or which particular item of clothing this colour scheme should be confined to. Trousers- easier to see when down low going for the ball. Tops- less likely to be confused with other teams. Balaclavas- not so practical for high velocity sport

3. I will be driving down, so anything either party would like not to carry on the train needs to be dropped off at the centre or my house on Friday night.

4. RE driving down, does Cycle Oxford have bike carriers to rent and if not should we get some to do so? Could be useful on similar future jaunts or for other members. Halfords has some for £60, ebay have more around £40

Cycling Infrastructure and Politics?

danny — Sun, 29 May 2011 05:10:21 -0400

Should we have an area for discussion about Oxford's cycleways, bike parking facilities, and ways of getting those improved?

Does OCW write submissions to council on this kind of thing?

Danny.
http://danny.oz.au/