The Spanish is a coast-to-coast, mostly off-road bikepacking route that takes riders from Saint Augustine to Fort DeSoto.»»»» Click Here to Join the 2027 Grand Depart«««««

The Spanish Indian Trail is a coast-to-coast fat tire route created by Patrick Thomsen, Matt Wiggins, and Karlos Bernart. This year, riders will travel from the East Coast at Castillo de San Marco in Saint Augustine to finish on the West Coast at Fort DeSoto, located in Saint Petersburg. The route is a patchwork quilt of singletrack, forest roads, double track, grassy track, bike paths, and paved roads. This year there will be two options available: a 520-mile odyssey and a 420-mile option. Route info will be sent to registered riders on November 3rd. Once the info is sent, no refunds will be provided. We will also offer a shuttle for riders this year. The shuttle will pick riders up at the finish in Fort DeSoto and transport riders to a location close to the start in Saint Augustine. Shuttle pick-up will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 2nd. If you want a spot on the shuttle, add that ticket option in addition to your route tickets.

Each ticket option provides riders with the routes, guides, and resource information. Your shuttle ticket can be canceled as long as it's four weeks before the 2nd of January.

Rules:

1. You must complete the route under your own power. Once you set foot in a motored power vehicle, you are voluntarily withdrawing from the challenge. There are exceptions made to this rule in cases of medical emergencies. If you are injured and need help, get healthy, and you can rejoin the course at your convenience.

2. There is a no drafting rule in effect.

3. You must be able to carry yourself the length of the route safely. You can only obtain supplies from commercial establishments along or near the route. You cannot pre-arrange any kind of support or supplies, and no SAG vehicles are allowed.

4. There will be three checkpoints where you are required to provide photographic evidence. Some checkpoints may require video documentation. To prove that you passed these areas, you can either email your pics and videos to Karlos@singletracksamurai.com or post them on your Facebook wall for me to see and verify.

5. You can take as long as you need to complete the challenge; there is no time limit and no cut-offs. Every rider will participate in a mass start if they start with the group the day of the event.

Collected fees go a long way to keep me working on new routes and projects and maintaining the ever-evolving existing routes and future projects. Generosity is encouraged and generally will provide good luck during the event!!!

I hope this is the year you decide to give the route a try.

Questions? Email me at Karlos@singletracksamurai.com