2023 lacoochee bike ride

Clean Air Ride offers Cyclists the Century Challenge March 18 on the Withlacoochee Trail

By Florida's Original NatureCoaster™ Posted on February 10, 2023

Join the 2023 Clear Air Ride on the Withlacoochee Trail Saturday, March 18, at the Inverness Trail Head, 270 N Apopka Avenue, Inverness, FL 34450.

The fun begins with kickoff at 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., rain or shine. This is a ride, not a race, so there is no mass start. Continental breakfast is provided for all entrants.

This year’s benefactor is the Key Training Center, an organization dedicated to serving adults with mental and developmental disabilities.

Take the Withlacoochee Trail Course for 14-100 Miles on the 2023 Clean Air Ride

The Withlacoochee Trail is the longest paved trail in Florida. It is listed in National Geographic’s Traveler Magazine as one of the top 20 trails in the United States. The World Wildlife Fund says this trail is “One of the coolest places you’ve EVER seen”.

The 2023 Clean Air Ride begins at the Inverness Trail Head, near Liberty Park this year, with additional SAG stops in the areas of Ridge Manor, Istachatta, and Citrus Springs. The fully paved Withlacoochee State Trail winds through Pasco, Hernando and Citrus Counties in West Central Florida. The Depot District is 2/10 mile north of the Old Historic Courthouse in downtown Inverness.

You will receive a detailed Map, including Support Station Locations, in your Ride Packet.

Entrants can choose from 5 distances on this springtime nature ride:

  • 14 Miles: Heading South from the Trail Head, take our shortest loop and enjoy a scenic ride to Historic Floral City.
  • 28 Miles: Enjoy a supported SAG stop at the small town of Istachatta, including a park, music, and restrooms!
  • 48 Miles: This is our most popular distance, and the SAG stop is located at Ridge Manor Trailhead (24 miles South) with large food and beverage support.
  • 100 kilometers (62.13 Miles): For those wanting to do a Metric Century, we added this distance in 2020.
  • 100 Miles: For the more serious rider. Ride the trail from end to end and complete this 50-mile stretch out and back with limited road crossings and plenty of wide-open space to spin your wheels!
Image courtesy of DRC Sports.

Get in on the Century Challenge

Due to the recently completed Withlacoochee-Dunnellon Trail Connection, the 2023 Clean Air Ride will be the first organized ride to join the Dunnellon Trail into Marion County. The ride is now 100% on the trail! Century Riders will now travel through 4 counties! (Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, & Marion), and will no longer do the 8-mile loop through Citrus Springs.

Riders who complete the 100 Mile Century Challenge route will receive a commemorative Century Finisher Tile to display proudly.

Team Awards!

Two Super Cool Trophies will be awarded to the Team with the Most Participants and the Team that completes the Most Miles! There is a minimum of 10 per team to qualify for the award.

The entry fee is $40 if registered by March 15, 2023, and includes T-shirt (in adult sizes only), Continental Breakfast, Light Snacks at Inverness Depot District from 11am-2pm, Map, Water, Sports Drink and Snacks at SAG Stops. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration fee on the day of ride is $50.00.

2023 Clean Air Ride offers Cyclists the Century Challenge March 18 on the Withlacoochee Trail

Register for the 2023 Clean Air Ride online at www.RunSignUp.com until Midnight on March 16, 2023. By Mail, you can download and print application (PDF Document)! Make checks payable to DRC Sports, and mail it to P.O. Box 70, Inverness, FL 34451-0070

The day-of-ride registration and packet pick-up is from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Proceeds will benefit the Key Training Center, an organization dedicated to serving adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities.

Since 1966, the Key Center has offered “Kindness, Love, Dignity, and Respect” to individuals and their families, providing vitally needed community-based services to nearly 300 developmentally disabled adult citizens. Find out more at http://www.keytrainingcenter.org.

Support And Gear Stops:

Four SAG Stops (Rest Areas with limited Snacks and Drink) will be along the route of the 2023 Clean Air Ride. Restrooms are also available. Support ends at 3:00 p.m.

Complimentary lunch and snacks will be served at the Inverness Trail Head from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. for all registered riders.

Check the local weather with The Weather Channel!

For more information, contact DRC Sports at (352) 637-2475 or info@drcsports.com

withlacoochee trail clean air ride 2023

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