Just returned from a couple weeks on the island February 3rd. We have driven a cart to and from town on the back path since 2005 (area around Coco Beach) My back was ruined this trip! The large mud ponds were not the problems - all those small hard ruts were relentless. Today is the first day I can stand up straight without crazy pain. My back would not be able to handle that again (age I guess). The only other way to navigate (if you can afford it!) for the resident "northern travelers" would be to have a private boat (or boat pass & plan by their schedules) to and from town and keep a cart parked in town (space for that would have to be worked out according to whether or not you have an office space to park or rent a space). After giving this issue much thought - Living closer to town / or a bit south is starting to sound like a solution for us. We love it up North of the bridge, but with the huge projects just starting 3.7 miles up and several YEARS from completion, I'm done with that back breaking construction path. Just glad I can walk after a week of misery. Let's not even talk about the fight home. TACA was fantastic and moved passengers around so I could have three seats to curl up and cry...
I wish you all the best with the "killer path" - my pain is too fresh to give it much hope...

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself"