28th Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Ride
Presented by
The Lowman Law Firm
Ride event by The Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail
#2 BEST Outdoor Recreational Trail in the USA (USA Today 2025-6)
Century Riders ! See our new course that takes you North past the former WST terminus Gulf Junction, through the US 41 bicycle underpass into the Dunnellon Blue Run Park. You'll ride over the Withlacoochee River, on the Dunnellon Bridge, along the beautiful Rainbow River and to the end of the paved trail at the Bridges Trailhead where you return to Inverness to complete the Century course.
We are proud to announce a once in a Century event!
In honor of The Centenary of the Withlacoochee State Trail Caboose (1925 - 2025)
Our 28th Annual Ride will be FREE to all registrants! Thanks to Lowman Law Firm, Citrus Dental of Inverness, The City of Inverness, and our generous Inverness businesses.
Please have a look at our Annual Ride Sponsors in the Sponsor section of Bike Sign Up. The Stores, Restaurants, Nightclubs and Bars in our 'Small Town Done Right' are top shelf. That's why Inverness was voted #3 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. Fun for the whole family!
*Commemorative T-Shirt for $15.00, available until Sept 14. Please select your size before closing the registration application. Our T-Shirt this year is made from a Dri-Fit/Performance fabric. True to size for the life of the shirt (doesn’t shrink like regular t- shirt fabric).
The Train Station Restaurant - Our Lunch Sponsor, located on the WST in the old train station, at the Inverness Trailhead nearby the registration area, will be open for all day Sunday from: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM. There are other wonderful restaurants open on Sunday:
Cattlemen Dogs Coffee Roasters open Sunday 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, InVibe Nutrition open Sunday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm, Mama’s Kuntry Kafe open Sunday from 7:00 am - 2:00 pm, Joe’s Family Restaurant open Sunday 7:00 am - 3:00 pm, The Hen House open Sunday 6:00 am - 2:00 pm,
Continental Breakfast will NOT be available this year. Downtown restaurants open for breakfast are: Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters, InVibe, Hometown Deli, Hen House, and Mama's Kuntry Kafe. Only a short walk from the Inverness Trailhead.
The Law Firm of Melissa Militello, P. A. Our Support & Gear (SAG) Sponsor brings back our famous SAG Stop cookies and snacks, available at 4 of our 6 SAG stops.
Mike Scott Plumbing, our Hydration Sponsor will be providing fresh water at all 6 SAG stops.
We encourage you to make your visit to Inverness,
#3 BEST Small Town in the South (USA Today 2025-26)
Make your visit a memorable stay by spending One More Day in our walkable/bike-able..,
Small Down Done Right.
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.
www.NatureCoaster.com Our Online Media Sponsor has a great website for Things to do all around Florida’s Nature Coast. Check out the events in the area at their online blog.
The City of Inverness is our Host Sponsor. The Parks & Recreation Department plays a big part in putting together our Big Celebration.
The Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail will be entertaining spectators & riders throughout the day with Hourly Speakers on topics like:
• 12 pm - Meet the Trail - An Introduction to the Walking, Horseback Riding, and Bicycling
• Random Door Prizes
• 1 pm - The History of Inverness & the Rails to Trails WST
• Random Door Prizes
• 2 pm - Bike Safety Presentation - Random Door Prizes
• Drawing for a $250 Gift Card - (must be present to win)
• 3 pm - History of our 1925 wooden Caboose, Discussion of caboose restoration plans.
How to help by becoming a member, becoming a volunteer, or making a donation.
• Drawing for a FREE TREK Verve 2 Bicycle - (must be present to win)
WST Jerseys will be sold at the event or available on fotwst.org/shop to purchase in advance of the event.
All proceeds go to work on the trail and work around the Fort Cooper State Park. 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
* Packet pickup for all distance events and Day of Ride registration* is available from 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)
*Day of Ride - Lunch voucher not available. Commemorative Tee shirt not available. Registration on the day of the event is for the ride only.
* Entry to win a FREE TREK BIKE drawing Sponsored by TREK, a $250 Gift Card from PRIMAL Wear online store, and door prizes throughout the day are applicable. Go to TREK Inverness Trailhead store location to register for the drawing and door prize qualification to receive your chance. Must be a registered rider to get your ticket for the drawing at the TREK Inverness store. Must be present to win.
* Named 2025-6 “#2 BEST Outdoor Recreational Trail in the USA” 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 2025 medal.
* Floral City Ride entrants have a soft start also from 8 am - 9:30 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.
We’ve reached our limit for offering a lunch voucher. There are many excellent reasonably priced restaurants in the Downtown Inverness area nearby. (See our Downtown Business Sponsors Board at Registration/Check-in/Packet Pick-up)
6 SAG Stops Along the Course Are Dedicated For WST Registrants Only*
Support & Gear Sponsor: The Law Office of Melissa Militello, P.A., 4 SAG Stops
Hydration Sponsor: Mike Scott Plumbing, H2O at ALL SAG Stops
*Children must be accompanied by an adult.
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. See map at registration for nearby restaurants, gift, and retail shops in Inverness.
Inverness #3 BEST Small Town in the South 2025, voted by a people’s poll by USA Today.
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.
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: For your Commemorative Century Finisher Medal: 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.
Please consider a DONATION to our Caboose Restoration Campaign • Celebrate 100 YEARS with your Ride for the Caboose Centenary 1925-2025. ***If you wish to pick up your Ride Packet and your purchased Commemorative T-Shirt at Manor Ridge, please email
Zm90d3N0MiB8IGdtYWlsICEgY29t with your full name and request. We will email you confirmation that your request is received and confirmed. You can do this any time before October 1, 2025. TY FOTWST Ride Organizer.
You may also like the following events from Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc.:
Also check out other
Trips & Adventurous Activities in Inverness,
Workshops in Inverness,
Sports events in Inverness.
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