MLK Jr. had a dream. I have one also. My dream is someday I will be able to ride this trail. Unlike some folks I have never been a person with a “bucket list” but I readily admit that I do have this one strong desire.
I titled this using the same title of an article I just read about this trail. I am not copying the article … only using its title. Over the years I have spent many hours researching about this particular trail which intrigues and entices me so much. I like the idea of being able to ride such a long distance. My plan would be to start my ride in the Floral City area which is about in the middle of the 46 mile long trail. From there I could go north or south and have about the same distance. 23 miles out and back would make for a 46 mile ride which sounds ideal for a day’s worth of riding. As a bonus one can often see various kinds of wildlife on or near the trail.
This map shows the area of Florida this trail is located.
It is my understanding that this trail is popular with many tadpole trike riders. That really appeals to me as I would like to be able to ride with others.
And in Floral City right next to the trail one can find “TrailSide Trikes“. They not only sell and service several different brands of tadpole trikes but they are there as friends to trikers. Many trikers meet together there. Trail rides are offered as well as some events at their location. I would love to be a part of that.
SHOP IS DEFINITELY CONVENIENTLY LOCATED RIGHT ALONGSIDE OF TRAIL
I may never see my dream fulfilled but I am not giving up on it. I am almost 76 years old so time is slipping away. They even have a pretty fancy outhouse alongside the trail.
It is my understanding that much of the trail is shaded, especially the northern half. I like that! Also I read that the scenery along this trail is better than most. I like that also!
One thing that I read which I don’t care for is that portions of the trail have horse trails alongside of the paved trail. That ruins bike trails in my opinion. In fact, I think it ruins it for everybody including the horses.
A few years ago they had some unwelcome activity on the trail which I hope never happens again. A police chase occurred in the Floral City-Inverness area. I wrote about it at the time.
That is a little more excitement than I care for. That tadpole triker was spared but that is too close for comfort. That would scare most of us half to death. BTW, if you watch the first video I posted the pickup truck the police are chasing turns off onto the trail at about 6 minutes and 5 seconds into the video. (This is where I start the video in the link above.) He goes on and off of the trail several different times. What makes this scenario all the more dangerous is that there is a rural road and a highway which run alongside of the trail not far away. If a trail user heard sirens he would naturally think that the police cars are over on one of the roads and not on the trail.
Every February the Big Honkin’ Trike Rally is held in Inverness, Florida. It lasts 7 days and brings recumbent riders together with a more less open schedule where they can meet up with other riders and ride as much and as far on the trail as they care to. I have an article about this rally scheduled to be published Nov. 16th. (The link to the article won’t work until the 16th.)
And a 10 mile extension trail named “The Good Neighbor Trail” has been built connecting the Withlacoochee State Trail to Brooksville, Florida.
Yes, indeed … I can identify with this. One of those trikes could be mine. I can dream anyway. Yes, I have a dream …
that someday I will be seen on my trike on the Withlacoochee State Trail. I have even thought about moving down there … something I swore I would never do as I don’t like heat, humidity and insects galore. I could handle snowbirding but I could never afford it. But I can dream …
KEEP ON TRIKIN’
A FREE GIFT AWAITS YOU!
You are invited to come join the Tadpole Rider Facebook Group. Please note that in order to join you must first answer the two membership vetting questions and agree to comply with the group rules.
Tadpole Rider 
Steve after a cross country ride I ended up living just off the trail for almost 4 years. It’s a great experience. Though going south on it will take you into areas where there are no trees. I bought my first Catrike Expedition from Regis Hampton the original owner of Hamptons edge which is now going by the other name.
Hi Steve, thank you for this “mouth watering” post!
I have always wanted to take the train cross country to ride the trails, (I live in CA) but since I can’t bring my trike with me, the dream has never happened. But…wow…a trike shop right near the trail where I can rent one and hit the trail? A dream come true!
I haven’t been able to ride for almost 3 years, due to bone-on-bone knees and torn ligaments. Will be having both replaced next spring, each a few months apart, and will be chomping at the bit to make up for lost time. I, too, am almost 76, and when we say “time’s a-wastin,” we mean it! “Miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep.”
Hope to see you out on the trail one day…
Best, Pam