Florida's premier mountain bike festival returns to Ocala for four days of world-class riding, community celebration, and trail culture at the Santos Trail System. Hosted by the **Ocala Mountain Bike Association (OMBA)**, the Santos Fat Tire Festival draws thousands of riders and spectators from across the country to one of the most celebrated mountain bike trail networks in the southeastern United States. The 2026 festival runs **March 5-8** at Santos Trails, 3080 SE 80th St, Ocala, FL 34480.
## The EPIC 50 Ride
The centerpiece of the festival is the **EPIC 50 Ride**, a self-paced 50-plus mile journey through the Santos trail network. This is not a race — riders start anytime on Saturday morning and have until 5:00 PM to complete the course. The route winds through more than 80 miles of IMBA-certified award-winning singletrack maintained by OMBA volunteers. Supported sag stops are positioned at Coyote Corner, the Landbridge, Nayls North, and Ross Prairie to keep riders fueled and hydrated. Every rider who completes the course by the 5:00 PM cutoff receives a finisher medal. The EPIC 50 is included with your camping wristband purchase, or can be registered for separately.
## Vendor Village
The Vendor Village is **free and open to the public** from March 6 through March 8, with approximately 100 vendors showcasing the latest mountain bikes, gear, apparel, nutrition products, and cycling accessories. Hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday and Saturday, and 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Sunday. Whether you're in the market for a new bike, looking to demo the latest suspension technology, or just want to browse, the Vendor Village is worth the trip on its own. If you need last-minute bike repairs or rentals, [Santos Bike Shop's trailside location](/businesses/santos-bike-shop-trailside) is right at the trailhead, and their [main shop](/businesses/santos-bike-shop-ocala) is just minutes away.
## Festival Schedule Highlights
The festival kicks off **Thursday, March 5** with camping check-in at Santos Campground. **Friday, March 6** features free bike clinics led by certified instructor Misty Mahoy of All About Balance, a ladies-only group ride, and Soul Jam live entertainment in the evening. **Saturday, March 7** is the big day with the EPIC 50 Ride launching in the morning and the Kids Epic Ride at 10:00 AM. **Sunday, March 8** wraps up the festival with raffles, final vendor hours, and one last morning of riding.
## Free Bike Clinics
Throughout the festival, free bike clinics are available for riders of all skill levels. Led by certified instructor **Misty Mahoy** from All About Balance, these clinics cover fundamentals like body position, braking technique, cornering, and trail etiquette. No pre-registration is required — just sign up the day of at the clinic booth near the Vendor Village. These clinics are a fantastic opportunity for newer riders or anyone looking to sharpen their skills on Santos' diverse terrain.
## Kids Epic Ride
Families are a big part of the Fat Tire Festival. The **Kids Epic Ride** launches at 10:00 AM on Saturday in partnership with **Grom Squad MTB**. Young riders choose between the Mini EPIC (approximately one hour and 10 miles of trail) and an advanced group ride covering roughly 20 miles. It's a great way to introduce kids to mountain biking on some of the best purpose-built trails in Florida. [Scott Springs Park](/parks/scott-springs-park) also has a bike skills area for younger riders looking to practice before or after the festival.
## Camping and Accommodations
The full festival experience starts with **tent camping at Santos Campground**, right next to the trails. Camping wristbands include breakfast Friday through Sunday, dinner Friday and Saturday, live entertainment each evening, a swag bag with the event T-shirt, and entry into the EPIC 50 Ride with finisher medal. It's the best way to immerse yourself in the mountain bike community for the weekend.
If tent camping isn't your style, the [World Equestrian Center](/businesses/world-equestrian-center) hotel offers upscale accommodations just 15 minutes from the trailhead. For those who prefer a more rustic option with additional outdoor activities, [Silver Springs State Park](/businesses/silver-springs-state-park) has campgrounds and is home to Florida's famous glass-bottom boat tours. The [Ocala National Forest](/businesses/ocala-national-forest) also offers camping and is worth exploring for a multi-day outdoor trip.
## Where to Eat and Drink After Riding
After a long day on the trails, head into downtown Ocala for some of the area's best food and drink. [Infinite Ale Works](/businesses/infinite-ale-works) is a local favorite craft brewery with a rotating tap list — perfect for a post-ride pint. [Big Hammock Brewery](/businesses/big-hammock-brewery) and [The Lodge](/businesses/the-lodge-ocala) are also excellent spots for unwinding. For a sit-down meal, [Hooked on Harry's](/businesses/hooked-on-harrys) serves fresh seafood and steaks, [Bank Street Patio Bar & Grill](/businesses/bank-street-patio) has a lively outdoor dining scene, and [Black Sheep on Broadway](/businesses/black-sheep-broadway) offers a creative menu in a charming downtown setting.
## About the Santos Trail System
The Santos trail network is one of the premier mountain biking destinations in the United States, with over 80 miles of singletrack ranging from smooth beginner-friendly paths to technical expert terrain. The trails are built and maintained entirely by OMBA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded by donations, memberships, and events like the Fat Tire Festival. Proceeds from the festival go directly toward trail maintenance, new trail construction, and land preservation.
Ocala itself is known as the [Horse Capital of the World](/horse-capital-world), but its cycling scene has grown enormously thanks to the Santos trails and the dedicated OMBA community. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a returning rider, the Santos Fat Tire Festival is the best way to experience everything this trail system and the surrounding [Ocala community](/things-to-do-ocala) have to offer.
If you're looking for a rest-day activity during the festival, the [Appleton Museum of Art](/businesses/appleton-museum) is a world-class art museum just a short drive away, offering rotating exhibitions and free admission on the first Saturday of every month.
