About Florida Mudcutters

How Did The Bike Trail Get Started at Caloosahatchee Regional Park (CRP)?

When the course of the Caloosahatchee 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.



The Mudcutters Goals:

Promote Safe and 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 Opportunities and 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.

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Improve the Cycling Experience for New and Advanced Mountain Bikers:  Increase active volunteer hours at the park on trail maintenance - Have 70% of the bike trail shaded - - Continue to recognize and implement bike trail improvement projects - increase length of single-track - Develop additional off road cycling opportunities within Lee County and neighboring counties - 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.