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Muddy Spokes gets first members
MuddySpokesClub
Muddy Spokes Club - photo by Photo provided by DNR
ACWORTH — Three Acworth residents are the first bicyclers to complete the Muddy Spokes Club challenge from Georgia's State Parks.
Scott Davis, daughter Christina and friend Kirubakaran "Karan" Selvaraj earned T-shirts exclaiming "I made it 68 muddy miles" for completing trails at 11 state parks across Georgia.
Davis said they first learned about Muddy Spokes at Red Top Mountain State Park on Lake Allatoona. Needing an exercise goal, they signed up for the challenge and tackled the park's four-mile, relatively flat, Iron Hill Loop.  Several months later they had finished some of the state's most difficult mountain bike trails.
"Those last couple of trails in the hard category, well, they're hard," Davis said. "We're not hardcore riders, but we're OK. It was the perfect goal for all of us to do. I couldn't bring my 9-year-old, but my 11-year-old had enough 'umph.  It's nice to be the first to finish."
Davis said people should not think that they have to buy an expensive bike to take on the club challenge. He started with his own 15-year-old bike, then borrowed a friend's bike that had better suspension.
Created by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' State Parks Division, the Muddy Spokes Club is a way to encourage Georgians to "Get Out. Get Dirty. Get Fit." The slogan recognizes that parks not only protect natural environments, but also provide beautiful settings for exercise and recreation.
Trails are organized by difficulty so beginners can work their way up to the most strenuous ones. Beginner trails can be found at Magnolia Springs State Park in Millen, Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge (paved but steep), Mistletoe State Park in Appling, Red Top Mountain State Park in Cartersville, Richard B. Russell State Park in Elberton, Victoria Bryant State Park in Royston and Watson Mill Bridge State Park in Comer.
To join the Muddy Spokes Club, bicyclists should stop by one of the 11 participating state park offices and buy a $10 membership card. A healthy dose of enthusiasm and bicycle helmet is required. Once members have visited all 11 parks and had their cards punched, they can redeem them for a T-shirt and bragging rights. No time limit applies, so bikers can take as long as they wish to finish the challenge.  
For details on the Club, call (770) 389-7401 or visit  www.gastateparks.org/core/item/page. aspx?s=152713.0.1.5.   For overnight reservations, call the reservation center at 1-800-864-7275.
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