Photo recap: The North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship

If the streets of Madison looked more crowded with two-wheelers than usual this weekend, it was no coincidence—the North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship was going on Thursday through Sunday at the MATC Truax campus tennis courts, bringing bikers from all over the country to bash spokes, trash talk, make a few bunny-hop saves, and “slay in the Thunderdome.” Teams competed for a trip to the World Hardcourt Bike Polo Championships in Berlin next month, with The Odds (composed of teammates from New York, Philadelphia, and Richmond) emerging victorious. The A.V. Club braved the heat and discarded bikes on the courts to capture a few key moments from the tournament on film.

Alex Truong

Goal keepers need to plant those armored wheels in front of the goal and brave a flurry of mallets batting near their feet.Alex Truong

A key component to any good bike polo defense is a righteous beard.Alex Truong

Two Portland teammates share outrage over a particularly bullshit call.Mark Riechers

A Seattle-Portland player collision against the boards looks painful.Mark Riechers

Players armor their spokes not just for defense, but for intimidation. Brace yourself for "Purple Pain."Mark Riechers

Satan himself gets in on the action for a pickup polo game. Luckily we missed getting his head in the shot, lest you stare into the eyes of the beast.Mark Riechers

A member of Seattle's Team Smile tries to drop the hammer on the goal as a Chicago player attempts a block, all while wobbling dangerously.Mark Riechers

Alex Truong