Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc.

09/15/2026

FREE Concert + Annual Ride Weekend-Make it a 2-fer in Inverness!
https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/FL/Inverness/WithlacoocheeStateTrailAnnualRide
Come for the FREE live music Saturday night,
Then stay overnight and wake up ready to ride!

STAY CLOSE TO THE TRAIL
Our event sponsor, WoodSpring Suites Inverness, is located at�123 S. Seminole Ave., Inverness — just a 4-minute bike ride or 12-minute walk from the trailhead.

Book your stay:�https://www.woodspring.com/extended-stay-hotels/locations/florida/inverness/woodspring-suites-inverness
then ride the Withlacoochee State Trail with us Sunday morning.

FREE Cooter Country Music Festival Saturday, OCT. 3rd • 5–9 PM

at Liberty Park • Across from the Inverness Trailhead
Enjoy an evening of country music featuring:
5:00 PM - PLAY IT AGAIN - A Tribute to Luke Bryan
Followed by THE ULTIMATE KENNY CHESNEY TRIBUTE SHOW

Food vendors and a beer tent will be on site - and right across the street at The Depot Pavilion, enjoy a special Market at the Depot featuring fresh produce, sweets, jams, sauces, plants, repurposed furniture, and creations from local artisans.

It’s all part of COOTERTOBER, Inverness’ monthlong celebration featuring 47 Halloween-themed events in Florida’s Small Town Done Right.

PICK UP YOUR ANNUAL RIDE PACKET EARLY
Avoid the Sunday morning rush! - October 1, 2 & 3 • 9 AM–5 PM�TREK Bicycle Shop at 322 N. Pine Ave., Inverness, FL 34450

SUNDAY MORNING — RIDE DAY!
We’re going Back to the Trail this year — and for the first time, our registration area will be brightly lit before sunrise. You could say this year’s ride will be a little more “enlightening!”

Starting at 7:00 AM:
FREE 16 oz InVibe Refreshers while supplies last, plus loaded teas and refreshers available for purchase. Find the InVibe tent beside Registration in front of TREK Bicycle Shop.
And enjoy FREE Cattle Dog Coffee, compliments of the Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail.

Saturday night: music, food and fun.�Sunday morning: one of Florida’s best paved trail rides.
Make a weekend of it in Inverness!

29th Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Ride�Sunday, October 4 - See you on the trail.

09/12/2026

Ride signs are up along the trail!
3 Weeks to sign up for the Withlacoochee State Trail 29th Annual Bike Ride. Florida Century and Metric Century favorite event with 2026 unique Century finisher medals! 48 mile, 24 mile, and Any Distance ‘Floral City’ Rides available for registration.

DON’T MISS OUR RETRO 29TH ANNUAL BIKE RIDE!
We’re going back to the trail!
This year, we’re turning back the clock to 2016 and bringing the Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Bike Ride back to the grass beside the trail and our historic caboose—where we used to gather.
Why? Because you come to ride the trail. So let’s celebrate on the trail!

Ride like it’s 2016!
RIDE. PROTECT. PRESERVE.
https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/FL/Inverness/WithlacoocheeStateTrailAnnualRide

Century and Metric Century riders: Ring the Bell! Celebrate your finish with a photo op and receive your Century medal commemorating your accomplishment.
Step inside our 101-year-old caboose and take a walk through railroad history. Its exterior was newly restored this year—thanks in part to your donations and support of last year’s ride.
Cruise through Floral City and stop at our recently restored pavilion and rest area—another example of what your support helps make possible along the trail.

29th Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Bike Ride
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Ride begins at 7:30 a.m.
Inverness Trailhead
286 N. Apopka Avenue
Inverness, FL 34450

Back where it all began.
For three consecutive years, the Withlacoochee State Trail has been voted one of USA TODAY’s 10Best outdoor recreational trails in America. If you haven’t experienced it yet, this is your opportunity.
And remember, this ride is about more than the miles.
Your $30 registration fee helps us protect, preserve and improve the Withlacoochee State Trail for everyone who enjoys it. Additional donations are always welcome.
Come for the ride. Stay for the camaraderie. Help preserve the trail.
See you ON the trail!
Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc. a Florida Not-For-Profit

09/10/2026

DON’T MISS OUR RETRO 29TH ANNUAL BIKE RIDE!

We’re going back to the trail!

This year, we’re turning back the clock to 2016 and bringing the Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Bike Ride back to the grass beside the trail and our historic caboose—where we used to gather.

Why? Because you come to ride the trail. So let’s celebrate on the trail!

Ride like it’s 2016!

RIDE. PROTECT. PRESERVE.

https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/FL/Inverness/WithlacoocheeStateTrailAnnualRide

Century and Metric Century riders: Ring the Bell! Celebrate your finish with a photo op and receive your Century medal commemorating your accomplishment.

Step inside our 101-year-old caboose and take a walk through railroad history. Its exterior was newly restored this year—thanks in part to your donations and support of last year’s ride.

Cruise through Floral City and stop at our recently restored pavilion and rest area—another example of what your support helps make possible along the trail.

29th Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Bike Ride
Sunday, October 4, 2026
Ride begins at 7:30 a.m.
Inverness Trailhead
286 N. Apopka Avenue
Inverness, FL 34450

Back where it all began.

For three consecutive years, the Withlacoochee State Trail has been voted one of USA TODAY’s 10Best outdoor recreational trails in America. If you haven’t experienced it yet, this is your opportunity.

And remember, this ride is about more than the miles.

Your $30 registration fee helps us protect, preserve and improve the Withlacoochee State Trail for everyone who enjoys it. Additional donations are always welcome.

Come for the ride. Stay for the camaraderie. Help preserve the trail.

See you ON the trail!

Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Inc. a Florida Not-For-Profit company

08/11/2026

RIDE. PROTECT PRESERVE. the Withlacoochee State Trail on October 4th. This is the 29th Annual Withlacoochee State Trail bike ride in Inverness, Florida. Fill your bucket list and ride one of the most popular bike rides in Florida.

Last year’s Annual Ride drew over 800 registrants from all over the world.
YOU riders supported the 100-Year-Old Caboose. Come see what you made happen! The exterior restoration of the caboose has been completed! Thank you.
Sign up to participate for just $30.00! Tee shirt purchase is optional.

Come join the Century Riders while they make their annual visit to the Withlacoochee State Trail to ride 100 miles and also the Metric Century riders who ride 62.5 miles. See the first timers attempt the Century Ride and the Metric Century Ride. Either ride is a feat of stamina.
Go to:
https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/FL/Inverness/WithlacoocheeStateTrailAnnualRide

Anyone can ride in this Annual Event.
We have a 48-mile ride, A 24-mile ride, and for those wishing to join this amazing event, you can do the short ride, our Floral City Ride, only 15-miles or make it an Any Distance Ride. Fun for all ages.

Ride one of America’s best Rails-to-Trails biking and hiking trails, a TOP10 Best Outdoor Trail in the USA (by a readers poll in USA today) for 3 years running!

LEND A HAND. Volunteer to join our happy, friendly trail users who want to join in the fun. https://www.withlacoocheestatetrail.com/blank-2

Sign up for our ride today:
https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/FL/Inverness/WithlacoocheeStateTrailAnnualRide

Enjoy your day on the trail. The Friends

08/03/2026

Anyone remember what year this Ride Jersey commemorated?
Sign up for the 2026 Withlacoochee State Trail Bike Ride.
Century Riders, Metric Century Riders, and Any Distance riders welcome. T-Shirt purchase and Lunch voucher purchase optional! October 4th

https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/FL/Inverness/WithlacoocheeStateTrailAnnualRide

RIDE. PRESERVE. PROTECT.
Run by volunteers and supported by donations. We would love for you to join us!

07/18/2026

On October 4, 2026, 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.

Another FUN event by The Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail, a Top10 BEST Outdoor Recreational Trail in the USA for 3 years running (USA Today).

Become a member at www.WithlacoocheeStateTrail.com
https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/FL/Inverness/WithlacoocheeStateTrailAnnualRide

The Withlacoochee State Trail Annual Ride is on Sunday October 4, 2026. It includes the following events: Century Ride, Metric Century Ride, 48 Mile Ride, 24 Mile Ride, and Floral City Ride - Any Distance.

07/16/2026

Ran into a fine group of every day trail riders. Including the self proclaimed “Mayor of the trail”, far right, and Demi, the manager of the Inverness Trek Bicycle Store. Elvis isn’t wearing a helmet, but he has a roll bar on his pet carrying basket.

07/06/2026

Guess who visited our caboose on the 3rd? Among the dignitaries who were interested to see what this “Walk Through” is about, we were graced by our oldest living Rails to Trails President, that I am aware of, Ken Spilios visited with gifts of artifacts from our trail history. We were entertained by his stories of the beginnings of the trail and his own history, being an Audubon Society President for Citrus County. You may remember the first Blast from the Past post I made about his first venture onto the trail in a previous post, describing the wildlife he encountered on the trail from his first walk after the State of Florida purchased the rail line from CSX. What a wonderful event. We hope to repeat the caboose walk through more times in the future. Thank you to the sponsors, volunteers, and members who made this happen. More exciting things to come on our beloved Withlacoochee State Trail!

07/03/2026

Step Back in Time and Tour The Caboose - July 3rd, 3:00-5:00 pm
250th Inverness Caboose TourThe Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail invite you to join us on Thursday, July 3rd at the caboose at Liberty Park during the Inverness 250th Patriotic Evening for the unveiling of the beautifully restored exterior of our 100-year-old Magor Company wooden cupola caboose, an enduring symbol of the railroad heritage that gave rise to Florida’s beloved 47-mile Withlacoochee State Trail.

Through the generosity of our sponsors and donors, and especially the support of the more than 800 cyclists who participate in our Annual Ride each October, this historic caboose has been brought back to life. Countless volunteer hours and the talents of dedicated craftspeople have transformed this railroad treasure into a lasting reminder of the people, places, and stories that shaped our community. The caboose stands as more than a restored railcar. It represents the spirit of stewardship that has guided the Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail for decades—volunteers who plant trees, maintain the trail, preserve its history, and work to ensure that future generations will enjoy one of Florida’s premier hiking, running, and bicycling destinations.

Visitors are invited to step inside and experience a temporary museum featuring photographs, artifacts, and stories celebrating the history of the caboose, the railroad era, and the remarkable transformation from rails to trails.

We hope you will join us as we honor the volunteers, donors, cyclists, and community partners whose dedication made this restoration possible.

Preserving the past. Stewarding the present. Inspiring the future.

Event: 250th Celebration of America Inverness Patriotic Evening
Place: Inverness Liberty Park - Inverness Trailhead Caboose 286 N Apopka Avenue Inverness, FL 34450
Date: July 3, 2026
Time: 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Admission is free. All are welcome.

06/27/2026

https://naturecoaster.com/step-back-in-time-and-tour-the-restored-caboose-on-july-3-in-inverness/?fbclid=IwRlRTSASs1KZwZG9mA2ZkaWQWUJcNUL75FofbCqgc7rrr4ntCI5YjSWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR4nlDjJpvUbEey-DERXLgylBf06MtxWWI3Ev2eTlJJ12kj-w2XIujY2nw4OYA_aem_Mm0w8FBULQORlr1ADs9aKA

INVERNESS, FL – The Friends of the Withlacoochee State Trail will welcome visitors on Thursday, July 3, for the unveiling of the beautifully restored exterior of a 100‑year‑old Magor Company wooden…