2026 Rider Guide

An important guide and important info. about pedaling, hiking and suffering on a bike in Bakofornia!

How the Rock Cobbler came to be…

30 years ago, long before what many call gravel, I loved riding my bike “adventure style”. I rode over

mountains, in races, hiked with it, ran thru mud, crossed ice and rivers and anything else I could find. A

few of my buddies joined me from time to time. We converted road bikes to cantilever brake, off road non-

mountain bike machines. We broke, crashed and destroyed several frames. And loved every minute of it. I

continued for years doing all sorts of “mixed surface” rides on cyclocross bikes…some on a road bike.

Along came gravel riding: BWR, The Crusher, Unbound, Mob Shop, Strada Rossa, etc. In 2013 I told my

buddies, “let’s do an event…”. Beers were poured; hours were spent contemplating the idea. We toiled on

a route. What, where, how and why? In 3 short weeks the Cobbler was born. After a few rides we all

looked at each other: “NO ONE is gonna wanna do this shit!” But the ship was launched and we were

blown away with 50 riders. It was so ridiculous we figured no one would come back.

We celebrate this 13th anniversary installment of The Rock Cobbler with you. It is my sincere hope we

deliver a down-home banger event, complete with uniqueness, goofiness, a damn challenging route with

unique features and FUN. And a SAFE event. There will be some pain, some puckering and hopefully a

route and trails that you will fondly remember in the weeks to come. We thank you for the support. As

much of a race as you want it to be and as much of a ride as you want it to be. ALWAYS an adventure, and

having fun is a must. We celebrate riding in a unique way that I hope NEVER goes out of style. Now, go

ride and thanks again for coming to “The Cobbler”!

Sam Ames—-Self appointed Head Cobbler and Ring Master of the Shit Show

FOREWARD——-From Tim Adams, 8 time Cobbler

Bakofornia!!! It’s Rock Cobbler Time! This marks my 8th year of pain & suffering at Sam's

world famous Rock Cobbler. The ride is always unpredictable, brutally difficult & full of twists

& turns. Embrace the pain & enjoy the day. The Cobbler means the first the opportunity of the

year to support a local event, show off Bakersfield's prime riding hills to out of town cyclists, &

be competitive with my riding buddies while having an overall great time! And of course the

stellar post race party & food. See you at the finish line and ALWAYS BE COBBLIN!

This is YOUR GUIDE! READ IT!!!

—Your number plate should be FLAT and attached to the front of your bars or burrito bag. Don’t bend it, twist it or stick it in your pocket!

—Numbers must be visible from the front.

—DO NOT wrap the plate around your head tube, it WILL NOT read.

—It ain’t a race…but we time ya to keep track!!

IF YOU COME TO US SATURDAY MORNING FOR CLARIFICATION ON SOMETHING IN HERE, COOL. IF

YOU COME TO US AND ASK ABOUT RUTS AND RAFFLE TICKETS AND RULES WE WILL KNOW YOU

DID NOT READ YOUR GUIDE AND YOU SHOULD BE MADE TO DO THE HIKE A BIKE….TWICE.

EQUIPMENT—-BIKE and SUPPLIES

• Make sure your rig is dialed. Gearing of LOW in the rear i.e. 46T or larger

• GOOD brakes

• Tires in like new condition—sealant FULL

• Carry all tools to fix your bike! A chain tool (and know how to use it)

• Flat fixing stuff of course…Tire boots or plugs

• A fully charged phone!

• Start with 2 full bottles and eat breakfast, take a few gels and a bar

• Sunscreen??

• Voodoo doll of Sam to poke when your really hurtin! (We really do have Voodoo Sam dolls….and for sale! $30 at merch booth)

If you need last minute bike stuff or help

ACTION SPORTS is open til 6:30pm Friday Feb 6th

9500 Brimhall Rd Suite 400 93312

661-833-4000

RAFFLE TICKETS, FOOD TICKETS and BEER TICKETS

• So all riders have a chance at raffle stuff, we have auto-entered your names. We will draw names

after you leave to Cobble. The raffle items can be found at the raffle table where we sell

merchandise and will be labeled with your name and number. You must show your number.

Hopefully you win, we have some RAD stuff!

• Food and beverage tickets are in your swag bag for Saturday post ride lunch. If you purchased

dinner for Friday night go straight to the buffet, they have a list of names

• YES we have food and beverage (in limited supply) for friends and family Friday night pasta dinner

and Saturday lunch. Purchase at the merchandise table.

VENUE

Pyles Picnic Grounds, 13375 Lake Ming Rd.

(See RockCobbler.com for a map and link, its a little funky)

Friday Feb 6th Schedule

• PARK WHERE WE TELL YOU PLZ!

• If you are car/van/RV camping we will direct you to your area.

• 1pm-8:30pm Venue opens, packet pickup, beers, merchandise for sale

• 3pm BMC shake out ride with BMC ambassadors—BMC tent, 1 hour—slow to med pace!

• 5:15pm Pasta dinner, $12pp—EAT WITH US! WATCH BARREL RACIN!

• 6:30pm-7:30pm, BARREL RACIN! Yea, like at a rodeo but on bikes. $$ prizes— YEE HAW!

Saturday Feb 7th Schedule

• PARK WHERE WE TELL YOU PLZ!

• 5am-7am—Packet pickup, final reg…breakfast burritos (egg, potato, cheeses) COVENANT COFFEE

• 6:50am National Anthem and Boulder rider meeting

• 7am, Boulder start

• 7:45am—MANDATORY Rider meeting—BE READY, DON’T BE LATE

• 8am—roll out WAVE #1—there will be (3-4) waves

ABOUT WAVE STARTS:

• We will NOT move you to a different wave. Don’t ask. Keep things easy! Have Fun!

• Waves will be approximately 5-7 minutes apart.

• Ride the ride, enjoy the euphoric madness of the route and all the fun along the way—don’t crash!

• Post ride food, drink, raffle, your GIFT, music & war stories

• THE SODA CRACKERS, TAKING THE STAGE AT 3:30PM-ISH

Sunday Feb 8th Schedule—ya ya, we know its the Super Bowl!

• 8am—-Join us for our FIRST ever “Hangover Ride” benefiting Covenant Coffee!! Gather at 8am at the

venue for FREE Covenant Coffee with the “pink lady” coffee truck and pastries. Roll out at 9am for an

EASY spin. Please sign up at the venue at the merchandise booth! (Tips encouraged to support

former foster youth!)

IMPORTANT ROUTE Details

• We use white chalk, pink arrows, pink ribbon and A frame signs.

On asphalt, ALWAYS be looking for pink sticker arrows OR painted pink arrows on the ground

• We don’t own the road…no echelons, 5 x 5… DON’T CROSS roadway CENTER LINES !

• Roads and trails are OPEN TO CARS AND OTHER USERS!

• STOP!!!! STOP!!! STOP AT STOP SIGNS!

Navigation is an important part of any adventure ride. We WILL mark everything well. Download the route file for reference, but pay attention! PAY ATTENTION to the route split at mile 36/mile 60 for Boulders….Pebblers will go STRAIGHT Boulders and Cobblers will turn left. Read the signs, listen to course volunteers!

• Bees may be present in the orchards and at various spots!!! If allergic, be prepared!

• COURSE MARKINGS OVER RULE GPS FILES! Always follow course markings. Sometimes we have to make a minor change. We ARE NOT crossing highways or trails at random! Stay on course, follow whats in front of you. If you are turning you will know!!! THE GPS FILES ARE A GOOD REFERENCE, but follow course markings!

• Cutoff…Boulders and Cobblers you have until 3pm to get to final the SAG stop. If you don’t make it there by then we reserve the right to put you back on the road and or we reserve the right to sag you in…don’t hate us, ride faster. WE HAVE TO BE SAFE. The official CLOCK at the finish will be turned off at 6pm.

SAG/Aid stop locations….good food and drink, well stocked! Mileage should be VERY close:

• SAG/aid #1 for Cobblers and Pebblers is about mile 14-16—no Boulders

• SAG/aid #2 for EVERYONE roughly mile 24

• SAG/aid #3 for EVERYONE is roughly mile 32—last stop for Pebblers

• SAG/aid #3.1 for Boulders ONLY is about mile 44 at your turn around

• SAG/aid #4 on Cobbler/Boulder route for Cobblers and Boulders is about mile 44 (Cobblers) and 67 (Boulders)

• By tradition there is at least 1 spot where you CAN ELECT to take part in a shenanigan. Shenanigans and fun are part of the Cobbler! We are not going to make you do anything dangerous. Goofy, mildly stupid…yes. You might get heckled….you might win $$?!

F YOU LEAVE CLOTHING AT A SAG STOP #1, BAG IT YOURSELF! WE

ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST/ABANDONED CLOTHING! Clothing

will be returned to the venue ASAP. SAG #1 IS THE ONLY SAG TO DROP

CLOTHING! OTHERWISE, PACK IT OUT. CLOTHING LEFT AT OTHER

SAGS WILL BE DONATED TO THE COBBLER RELIEF FUND. (AKA

BEER MONEY) IF YOU DON’T PICK UP YOUR CLOTHING AFTER THE

EVENT IT WILL BE DONATED TO THE COBBLER RELIEF FUND (aka beer money)

ABOUT THE RIDE AND ROUTES !!!!!

RULES…we hate rules, however:

• If you want to switch distances, do it at check-in, NOT while on course. Please report a DNF to timing.You can text your name and race # to 951-384-0879 to report your DNF….We know how it goes so IF you cut the course or Pebble instead of Cobble let ?ming know. This ride is tough, it’s ok to bag out. Since we are pinnin’ numbers and ?min’ and braggin’ a bit, do the right thing and let ?ming know. If you don’t tell em you cut early, we will post you as DNFEC. (Did not finish exact course) No ill will, we love you but it’s valid. You either do it all or you don’t, ain’t no shame but can’t say you finished 25th if ya cut it!

• Timing is Gun Time, NOT Chip Time. So please start in your assigned wave.

• DON’T be an ASS. You're here for a hard challenge and to have fun! It’s not a race. Treat other Cobblers with respect on the course!

• NO headphones or ear buds at any time, plz.

• NO aero bar extensions! This isn’t a triathlon

• DO NOT cross the centerline of any paved road. If there is no centerline, imagine one and stay RIGHT!

• WATCH FOR other TRAIL USERS, CATTLE AND HORSES ANYWHERE! Watch out for trail walkers, hikers, moto riders etc. in the foothills!

• DO NOT THROW YOUR BOTTLES OR ANY TRASH ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WE AIN’T YOUR MAMA TO CLEAN UP AFTER YOU. DROP STUFF AT AID STATIONS.

• STOP! at STOP! Signs. Do not run STOP! Signs. Or lights. You can get a ?cket, DQ’d, hurt or killed. You know this…We did not tell you to run them. Proceed with cau?on if they do not trigger.

• PLEASE SAY THANK YOU TO VOLUNTEERS, GATE MONITORS, AID STATION STAFF—-ITS A LONG DAY AND THEY ARE HERE DONATING THEIR TIME FOR YOU—THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!

• IF YOU HAVE A MECHANICAL, BONK OR OTHERWISE CANNOT FINISH USE THE PHONE NUMBER AND INFO ON THE BACK OF YOUR NUMBER PLATE TO CALL FOR ASSISTANCE/GET TO A SAG STATION.

“To the Cobbler”

Here is our chant, memorize it. Every year before we depart we shall all join in the chant. If you

hear “To the Cobbler…” You reply, “To the Cobbler!” You are now in da CLUB.

“To the Cobbler, the Cobbler!

Raise up your glass…

In 5-9 hours she’ll have you flat on your ass!”

Very special thanks to:

OF

And to our other generous SPONSORS!

Sign Solutions of Bakersfield

Shimano

Pedal Industries Bags

SRAM

Rio Bravo Ranch

FLUID Hydration

Design Mark and Associates

Action Sports of Bakersfield

Pickle Juice—805 Brewing

Covenant Coffee

GU Energy

Chain Cohn and Clark

Motor City GMC

ELIEL Cycling Clothing

PURE GRAVEL