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About Us

How Did The Bike trail get started at CRP:

When the course of the Caloosahatche River was altered in the 1950s, workers had to put all that muddy land somewhere, so they piled it on the northern bank of the river in East Lee County.  Little did they know, they were setting the groundwork for a future recreational treasure.

     In the 1960s, the State of Florida bought the land and turned it into the Caloosahatchee Regional Park, which is now managed by Lee County.  In the Northern part of this park is 400 acres of hard-packed clay, with 15-foot ridges in spots, covered with exotic grasses and trees.  It didn't take long for six recreational mountain bikers to recognize the obvious:  with some work, this overlooked patch of land could be transformed into incredible mountain-biking terrain.

     In 1999 Lee County granted these six bikers the authority to start a mountain bike trail with the condition that they maintain it themselves.  This group, which would eventually call themselves the Florida Mudcutters, worked every weekend until they completed the original 5 miles of trails.  Over the years, this grew into 11 miles of single-track mountain biking trails that meets the needs of beginners, intermediates and advanced riders. 
     To this day, the Mudcutters, now over 100 members strong, works with Lee County Parks and Recreation Department to provide the mountain bikers of Southwest Florida with a terrain that is challenging, beautiful and free for all to use.

MUDCUTTER BENEFITS

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:

1.  10% Discount at the following local bike shops: (This includes 
     accessories & clothing, not bikes or bike rentals)
     - A. J. Barnes Bicycle Emporium, 15248 S. Tamiami Tr, 437-0373
     - Bike Route, 8595 College Parkway, Ft Myers, 481-3376
     - Billy's Bike Shop, 1509 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL, 472-3620
     - Engel's Bicycles, 27310 Old 41 Rd. Bonita Springs. FL  239-498-9913
     - Ft. Myers Schwinn, 3630 Cleveland Ave., 939-2899
     - E A Bicycles, 15630 McGregor Blvd, Suite 106, 239-415-6600
     - Naples Cyclery, 813 Vanderbilt Beach Road, 566-0600
     - Paradise Bicycles, 1712 Del Prado Blvd. Cape Coral, 772-2453
                                4391 Colonial Blvd, Ft Myers, 939-0511
     - Trek Bicycle Store of Estero, Coconut point mall, 390-9909
    

2.  Tuesday & Thursday night rides with only 2 hr of trail maintenance
3.  Receive notices of club activities by e-mail
4.  Can post messages on the club message board
5.  Voting rights
6.  Receive a copy of the Mudcutter meetings if you miss one
7.  Have the right to be nominated for office
8.  Receive a copy of the Mudcutter by-laws
9.  Get 25% off endurance sports coaching from Drew Edsall, see
     www.endurancefactor.com, contact drew@endurancefactor.com

THE MUDCUTTER GOALS:

PROMOTE SAFE & RESPONSIBLE CYCLING:   Continue to see our nationally recognized bike patrol group for Lee County grow - Provide assistance with directions, map reading and simple bike repairs to other trail users.
INCREASE THE OFF ROAD CYCLING OPPOURTUNITIES  & PUBLIC USE OF LEE COUNTY PARKS:   Continue to provide new rider clinics, beginner day events, and family riding events & club rides - Work with race promoters to have more off road races at CRP - Continue to increase club membership
IMPROVE THE CYCLING EXPERIENCE FOR NEW AND ADVANCED MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDERS:  Increase active volunteer hours at the park on trail maintenance - Have 70% of the bike trail shaded - Extend bike trail into Babcok ranch if possible - Continue to recognize and implement bike trail improvement projects - increase length of single-track - Develop additional off road cycling opportunities within Lee County - Continue to provide trail building knowledge, skills & labor and apply to CRP bike trails and other trail systems within Lee County as the opportunities present themselves.

Map/Directions


(use the Map Button for a printable version of this map)


Click for Map and Driving Directions
 
We currently have a 10 mile off-road biking trail at Caloosahatchee Regional Park, located in Alva. These trails will be enjoyed by riders from beginner to advanced levels, with a little bit of something for everyone.  The land managers are very positive about our club developing and improving trails, and they are more than supportive.

We plan to make our trails comparable to our northern counterparts. Incorporating all of the natural elements of the land, yet keeping our impact minimal. We may not have mountains, but we have many scenic areas and plenty of technical riding that will challenge even the more advanced rider.

I want to extend a welcome to all people who are involved, or interested in becoming involved, in the sport of off-road cycling. We welcome you to come and join us in our laughter, our fun, and our building. I look forward to riding with you.