Kinetic Systems Bicycles & The Flying Rhino Cycling Club Present

The 19th Annual
Polar Rhino Ride

A New Year's Day
Dirt Road Ride
Tuesday, January 1st, 2008
Clarkston, Michigan

Why not start the New Year the RIGHT WAY - on your bicycle!

A fun bicycle ride on scenic snow-covered northern Oakland County back roads.

Special Note: A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to the Independence Township Library.

Two snowy routes to choose from:

8 Miles - snowy flat roads that are quite tame.

17 Miles - snowy flat to rolling roads.

Bring the whole family and friends out to Clarkston and begin 2008 with a bicycle ride in some the area’s most beautiful winter scenery.

Hot chocolate, muffins, bagels and other goodies are ready to warm you up when your ride is done.

Wow! It has been 19 years since a group of 12 or so riders from the FRCC got together on a cold New Year’s Day morning in the Kinetic Systems Bicycles parking lot for a mountain bike ride. Since then it has been all (in bicycling terms) down hill.

The first five Polar Rhino rides were free and were advertised through word of mouth and club newsletter. In 1994 we actually created a flyer and charged a few bucks for the ride and had over 160 riders participate. By 1995 word had spread that this was a pretty darn fun ride and we had over 225 participate. It was after the 1995 Polar Ride that a new start venue for the 1996 version would be needed. So the Independence Township Library was chosen for the start of the Polar Rhino VII – and boy were we glad we did since 344 riders attended. It was also the first time a portion of the proceeds raised by the Polar Rhino Ride would be donated to the Independence Township Library.

The highlight of the ride (besides riding) is the mass start at high noon. Why mass start? Why not! Besides it is kinda fun to see the look on the faces of the people hermetically sealed in their cars, wondering if they really did celebrate too much on New Year’s Eve.

The FRCC, Kinetic Systems, and our sponsors thank you for your past and future support.

Sweating The Details

Registration opens at 10:30am and closes at 12:00pm (noon).

Registration and Start of the Ride is from Independence Elementary School Center.

Cost of the ride is $12 postmarked on or before December 15, 2007, $15 postmarked after December 15, 2007. For FRCC members cost is $8.00, those riders 60 and over, and those riders 12 and under the cost is $10.

All riders will leave in one group at high noon.

Sag service is provided for both routes.

Bicycles must be in good working order.

A Snell or ANSI approved helmet must be worn on this ride!

All riders must follow the rules of the road.

Registration fee includes; route map, sag service, promotional materials, AND light refreshments at the registration/start area.

Shirt fee includes a heavyweight 100% cotton "pre-shrunk" long sleeved t-shirt (for $20) with unique and way cool Polar Rhino 2008 design. Design created by a local artist. T-shirts and sweatshirts MUST be pre-ordered by December 14th to guarantee you’ll receive one!

More information is available by contacting Kinetic System Bicycles at (248)-625-7000 during the hours of 11:00am-7:00pm M-F and 10:00am-5:00pm Saturdays.

This tour will occur snow, rain, or shine, no refunds for inclement weather.

How To Get Here From There

From the North
Take I-75 South to Exit #91 (Clarkston/Ortonville). Turn Left (North) on M-15. At the second set of traffic lights turn left (West) on to Hubbard Rd. Independence Elementary School Center is on the North side of Hubbard Rd. about 1/8 mile west from M-15.

From the South
Take I-75 North to Exit #91 (Clarkston/Ortonville). Turn Right (north) on M-15. At the second set of traffic lights turn left (West) on to Hubbard Rd. Independence Elementary School Center is on the North side of Hubbard Rd. about 1/8 mile west from M-15.