Join the Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail for our Annual Preservation Ride! This event brings together cyclists and community members dedicated to protecting and preserving our treasured trail. By riding with us, you help keep the wheels turning for ongoing trail preservation—ensuring that our trail remains safe, scenic, and accessible for all. Come be a part of the movement and help sustain the beauty and vitality of our trail for generations to come. Become a member at www.WithlacoocheeStateTrail.com

29th Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Ride 2026
by The Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc.
Top10 BEST Outdoor Recreational Trail in the USA for 3 years running (USA Today 2024-7)

Advance Ride Packet pickup will be available at the Trek store at the Inverness Trailhead, near the newly restored caboose.

Spend some time in Inverness to shop the Stores, Restaurants, Nightclubs and Bars in our 'Small Town Done Right' are top shelf. That's why Inverness was voted #2 Best Small Town in the South!

Registrants are welcome to register for any distance of the WST they choose, The Century, The Metric Century, The 48 Mile Ride, The 24 Mile Ride, and the enjoyable, leisurely, popular Floral City Ride, for a Roundtrip of your own design. 

Our Commemorative T-Shirt is FREE for the first 500 Ride Participants/or until Sept 14. A limited quantity of event shirts will be on sale at registration for $20.00 each. Our T-Shirt this year is made from 100% cotton in the color Safety Orange.

A meal voucher for $10.00 is FREE included in your registration fee to be redeemed at any participating restaurant will be included to the first 500 registrants, and included in your ride packet.

There are other wonderful Inverness restaurants open on Sunday: Cattle Dogs Coffee Roasters, Main Street Deli, InVibe Nutrition, Joe’s Family Restaurant, The Hen House, the Train Station Restaurant, and many more.

For those staying overnight, check out Woodspring Suites the only Extended Stay Hotel in Citrus County, a short walk from the WST Inverness Trailhead.  The brand new hotel (rooms with a kitchen) is in the Downtown Business District

The City of Inverness is our Host Sponsor. The Parks & Recreation Department plays a big part in putting together our Big Celebration.

New 2026 WST Bike Jerseys will be sold at the event or available on our website WithlacoocheeStateTrail.com to purchase in advance of the event as soon as we receive the stock. All proceeds go to work on the trail.

Volunteers check our Volunteer section on our website. Donating your time or money to the WST can give you a Warm Fuzzy Feeling From Knowing Your Entry Proceeds Go to the Florida State Park Citizen’s Support Organization - Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail who volunteer to support, maintain, and promote the Trail.

RIDE INFORMATION 

Advance Ride Packet pickup - Trek Inverness at the Trailhead near the caboose. 
Packet pickup for all distance events and Day of Ride registration opens at 6:30AM - 9:00AM
Address of RIDE Headquarters and Main Ride Start: Depot Pavilion, 218 N Apopka Ave., Inverness FL 34450
Participants also have the option to pick up their packet at Ridge Manor Trailhead starting at 7:00 a.m. Select your location when registering. (Please let us know by Wednesday 10/1/25 if you will pickup in Ridge Manor)

TOP10 BEST Recreational Trail in the USA for 3 years running in a reader Poll by USA Today
National Geographic's Traveler -  “One of the longest paved trails in Florida”
The 47 mile long Withlacoochee State Trail is paved and meanders through Pasco, Hernando and Citrus County.
The World Wildlife Fund says our trail is "One of the coolest places you've NEVER seen".

The Century, Metric Century, 48 Mile, and 24 Mile Rides begin with a soft start between 7 am - 9 am at the Inverness Trailhead Depot Pavilion area.

Registration to start the race at Ridge Manor Trailhead is available. *Please notify in advance to have your Ride Packet pickup at Ridge Manor.

Those who want to do 100 miles on the Trail, see our new course that takes you all the way North to the Dunnellon Blue Run Park, over the Withlacoochee River on the Dunnellon Bridge and to the end of the trail at the Bridges Trailhead where you return to Inverness to complete the Century course. Riders who complete The 100 Mile Century or The Metric Century (62.13 Miles) will receive a Century Ride Finisher 2026 medal.
Floral City Ride entrants have a soft start also from 8 am - 9:30 am at the Inverness Trailhead Depot Pavilion area. 

SAG Stops - Parking and restrooms are available at all SAG Stops.

SAG Stop 1 - FULL: Inverness Trailhead RIDE Headquarters, including H20 and a "Sweet & Salty" variety of snacks and cookies. 

SAG Stop 2 - H2O: Floral City - 7 Miles South: Heading South from the Trailhead enjoy a scenic ride to Historic Floral City that hosts a Hydration Only SAG stop and bathrooms.

SAG Stop 3 - FULL: Nobleton/Istachatta- 14 Miles South of the Inverness Apopka Trailhead. Enjoy a fully supported SAG stop at the small town of Nobleton including H20 and a "Sweet & Salty" variety of snacks and cookies.

SAG Stop 4 - FULL: Ridge Manor- 24 Miles south of the Inverness Apopka Trailhead. This is our most popular distance and the SAG stop is located at Ridge Manor Trailhead with plenty of food and beverage support and bathrooms.

Owensboro Trailhead Turn Around Point - 30 Miles South of the Inverness Apopka Trailhead. Heading South on the Trailhead you'll find the turnaround point for those doing the Century or Metric Century distance. This is not a SAG stop.

SAG Stop North of Inverness Apopka Trailhead

SAG Stop 5 - FULL: Gulf Junction Trailhead- 17 Miles North of the Inverness Apopka Trailhead. Enjoy a fully supported SAG stop including H20 and a "Sweet & Salty" variety of snacks and cookies. Note to Century riders: There are restrooms at The Bridges Trailhead, the turn around point, in the Dunnellon Blue Run Park.

For those completing the Century Ride: Your Commemorative Century Finisher Medal will be included in your ride packet: Starting at the Inverness Trailhead Ride Start, ride the trail South to Owensboro Trail end, then return North, and again pass through the Inverness Trailhead North past the Gulf Junction Trailhead (former WST northern trail terminus) through the Dunnellon Greenway Trailhead underpass (New) which crosses US 41 to the Dunnellon Trail, and continue North to the Dunnellon Blue Run Park Bridges Trailhead returning to Inverness Trailhead to complete the 100 Mile Century. 

The new section of The Withlacoochee State Trail extends the length of the WST an extra mile to 47 miles through an underpass, constructed by FDOT and the DEP, under US 41 to the Dunnellon Blue Run Park southern trailhead and parking area. The additional 4.6 mile roundtrip in Blue Run Park is an enjoyable route through wooded areas along the Rainbow River and over the Withlacoochee River to the end of the Bridges Trailhead, the turn-around point for Century riders.