The trail is 46 miles long, runs north-south. You'll find road bikes, hybrids, trikes and recumbents. Some folks ride slow, some ride fast, some ride really fast. And there are all ages and abilities.

Dunnellon is a few miles north of the trail and there is a nice trailhead at that end. Inverness is at mile 30 (from the south, 16 from the north). Floral City is at the mid-point. There isn't much south of Floral City. Very rural after you're a few miles south of Floral City.

Depending on the season you can see deer, coyotes, bob cats, wild turkeys, tortoises, hawks, eagles and snakes - mostly black snakes but I've seen some "others" on the trail. People say they've seen alligators but I've never seen one. They're mostly in the lake areas in the Inverness area.

There are eating establishments (Mom and Pop places) at various places along the trail, most in the northern half.
There are rest areas with picnic tables or benches every few miles. Water and rest rooms are at the the north end, mile 41N, mile 35N, in downtown Inverness (mile 23N), in downtown Floral City (mid-point of the trail), near Nobleton (mile 15N) and at Ridge Manor (mile 5N).
There are 2 bike shops in Inverness. One is right on the trail and the other (my favorite) is 1-1/2 blocks off the trail. There is also a bike shop on the trail in Floral City. And there's a nice bike shop in Dunnellon.
There are a few nice eating places not far from the trail in Inverness. The Shamrock Inn (pub grub) is along the trail in Floral City.
The River Ratz cafe is ~1/2 mile off the trail in Nobleton. It has outside seating that looks out over the Withlacoochee River.

There isn't much south of Nobleton (very rural with horse farms, etc).
Here is downtown Istachatta. There's a convenience store that opens and closes as new owners (?) take over the business. When its open you can get cold drinks, candy bars, etc. They saved me once when I rode to the south end of the trail and didn't take enough food/water.


The Suncoast Trail isn't that far away and is 41 miles long (again north-south). Not many eating places and water is scare in the southern 15 miles but its a great ride with some decent rollers at the north end.

If you head down this way next winter be sure to post in the SE subforum. Maybe we could get a few group rides set up. Hope you can make it.