Trek gravel bike
69 miles through rough terrain
The Rock Cobbler
EDGE Hydro Fuel watermelon & cherry
Haribo Gummy Candy
Fuel
Helmet - Lazer
Bike - Trek
Wheels - Reserve 40/60
Bag- ALMSTHRE
Gear
The Rock Cobbler
Bakersfield, CA at the Pyles Boys Camp
The Rock Cobbler Location
The trek up to Bakersfield was about 6 hours for us from San Diego. This included a few gas station and coffee stops. As we got closer to the event location we noticed rolling grassy hills with so many cows. There is a gold course and camping right next to the event location! I think next time we will get camping spots a few days before the race/ride there. The camping spots line the Kern River, there are no hook ups but there is a dump station at the camp.
When we pulled into the event parking lot there was a team of staff directing us where to park. All of the trailers and RVs camped on the far side of the lot against the fence. We had a pretty awesome view of the hills and golf course. The kids unloaded and quickly got on their bikes to adventure around. That's when we noticed the goat heads. Good thing we run tubeless tires now days because that could have been a big problem for all the bikes we brought. The camping spots are dry camping and located right in the same parking lot as everyone else parks. It's located a couple hundred feet from the event start it's self. Which is prime, because we didn't miss out on anything!
After camp was set up Kevin joined his coach Brian from Big Wheel Coaching on a ride while I got him registered for the race. The whole area is pretty much fenced in so the boys had the green light to explore! They had the best time rolling down the hills, riding bikes, playing tether ball, and driving their rc cars.
The merch booth was stocked up with everything from clothes to shovels! They even had belt buckles. I was too busy chasing children around to focus on what I wanted to buy but I will tell you there are tons of options.
The Festivities & activities at The Rock Cobbler Friday Night
We arrived Friday, which is totally the way to go! If we had the opportunity to stay longer or arrive early and camp we would have! Friday night was pasta dinner night! This is a must for The Rock Cobbler! The meal tickets were cheap enough to get a plate for everyone and the food was delicious! There were two pasta options one with meat and one without. Then a few sides, salad and bread with butter. There was even a beverage station if you needed a bevy. The crowd was fun and there was plenty of room for everyone who showed up!
After we filled our bellies they announced the kids barrel race! Our boys quickly got ready to participate with their friends Lucy & Seamus. There was a few other kids there Friday that we got to pass out light up glow sticks to but only one of them participated with the kids in the barrel race. The boys all did amazing! It was so fun to see them try so hard and not shy out in front of the crowd. I don't think any of the kids did the course correctly but it was all fun and games. Then it was time for the adults race. My husband wanted to race so he went over to the announcers and I looked around and noticed not very many people are jumping at the opportunity. So I turned around and leaned over Lachlan Mortons table and said "If you race, it will get everyone else out there too. are you down?" and he replied " YEP!" He then proceeded to get up, snatched up his helmet and mounted on his bike. This was not just exciting for me but I had just secretly signed Lachlan Morton up to race my husband who has always wanted to race by his side! This was monumental for my job as race wife. After that moment a bunch more people lined up to race. It looked like a pretty great turn out! After all was said and done my husband won! Looking back now I wish I got a picture or an autograph with Lachy, but at least I got a photo with the winner.
The event started to die down after that and lots of people started to head back to their camps or leave for the night. As the next day was race day! We got the boys back to camp, put the sandlot on the projector and ate popcorn. There were a few generators on for a little bit and some laughing and chatting in the parking lot. But nothing too loud. Everyone was super considerate and kind. 100% family friendly.
I left my camera at the camp so the photos of Friday are all from my phone. Lame I know.
Race day at The Rock Cobbler 2026
Okay let's get to it. It's 6:00 am Saturday morning and for whatever reason all of my kids decided race day was a good day to sleep in instead of wake up at 4:30 am. So we had to kick it into high gear. I totally wanted to be at the start of the Boulders at 7:00 am but that didn't happen. I barely got us all to the start of the Cobblers at 8:05 am. Kevin was warming up while I got all the boys dressed. While we were walking over to the start line coach Brian rushed over on his bike all gear up saying " boys get your bikes you're going to lead the pack at race start!" So we turn around grab the bikes, helmets, and such and head over! The boys were stoked!! We got to give Kevin the nutrition packets he needed and grabbed a few sweatshirts from riders at the start and after the national anthem they were on their way! All our boys, Seamus, and one other little kid lead the pack of cobblers out from the start. Riggy caught his handle bar in someone's wheel and toppled over but other than that it was a total success!
After they were well on their way I packed up the cooler, chairs, poster board, markers, monster trucks, and water and headed to aid station 2. Which was about 8 minutes driving from where the start was but about 30 miles into the race/ride for the cobblers. Turns out the pin that was given to me was about 5 minutes off from the actual location of the set up aid station. When we got to the aid station it was all set up with a fun decorated tunnel for the riders to go under, a "shark pit", lots of water, port-o-potty, snacks, fuel, pickle juice, and more! They were all wearing Hawaiian shirts which I loved because they really stuck to the Hawaiian/Beach decor theme they had going on! This was the most fun aid station I have even seen. You could see the riders come down the hill a few minutes out so that was a great way to know how many riders were going to be coming through. Our boys used the living room set up that they had in the shade to make some posters for the riders. This was also the area that they were hosting the 30 push up challenge for the chance to win $100! Not all of the riders did the push ups but it was fun when they committed to it!
We waited for Kevin to come through. But before he got there we saw Thomas Fuller from the Big Wheel Team. Flying through the aid station like he was a freaking jet. It was impressive to see such speed and accuracy with so many people and distractions at that aid station! He went so fast that the people working the aid station didn't even get his number plate. Following that was Kash Steele and another rider who I don't personally know but he was side by side with Kash at mile 30ish. Then there was coach Brian right on their coat tails. This was an epic moment for Team Big Wheel. They were all lined up 3 riders in the top 5. Shortly after that we saw Kevin coming the boys all lined up with their signs and got their high fives from dad! We stayed for a few more minutes and then we went back to the starting/finishing line.
Once we were back at camp/finishing line the boys played around the finish waiting for riders to make it back. Kevin's Strava wasn't sharing his location with my so I couldn't check in to project when he would arrive. I usually use that as a tool for when to get the boys to the finish line for watching dad finish. The weather was amazing and they boys were having fun and then there comes Thomas Fuller flying to the finish! Then Kash took second. When my son Rawly saw Kash do a wheelie through the finish that was a moment I don't think he will ever forget. The moment Kash stopped his bike Rawly ran out there to him and gave him a high five. Looks like Kash Steele has a #1 fan and his name is Rawls Wake!
Kevin came in about an hour after these guys which is not where he wanted to be but "this wasn't a race anyways, right" haha. He said he just didn't fuel properly for this one. Which is a lesson learned for the next one. We got our high fives from dad and went back to the trailer to freshen up for the festivities ahead.
The dinner was Meat, salad, beans, and the absolute best French fries you've ever had ever! Literally I will be dreaming of these fries until next year! Bakofornia was the catering company and they aren't lying when they say they have the best fries. We ate at the tables near the stage and the live music was great! The crowd was happy and the weather was perfect!
We headed back to camp a bit after dinner and hosted another projector movie on the side of the trailer while sitting by the camp fire. Rawly was sitting in a 2 seat chair just waiting for Kash to get there to sit next to him. He fell asleep for 5 minutes and then Kash sat down next to him and he woke up stoked. This child of mine wouldn't let us talk to Kash like it was his bestie and he wasn't going to share. We sat around the fire with Thomas (first place winner) , Kash ( 2nd place winner), and coach Brian (4th place winner) talking about the day/race. It is such a blessing to have such an amazing team. Big Wheel Coaching ( Brian and Joy and Seamus) and top notch humans and we are thrilled to be apart of this experience with them by our sides. It was the perfect end to a pretty rad day!
Side note: there were baby cows in the hills and they were the most adorable creatures. It really added to the excitement of the day for me. I wanted to share that. haha.
Super family friendly race!
- Courtney
The Rock Cobbler Restroom Situation
The venue had a few real bathrooms on site. They were located near the race start and the picnic tables. They both had stalls with doors and sinks. They were fully stocked with paper towels, toilet paper, and soap. There were also plenty of port-o-potties stocked up with sinks and paper towels. There was never a line to go potty expect for the boys restroom right before the race start.
Race Info
The Rock Cobbler race is a solid family friendly event. We are looking forward to attending again next year! You can learn more about their races by visiting their website and social media.
Location
13375 Lake Ming Rd, Bakersfield, CA
Hot tips
- You have to camp!
- Do the pasta dinner for your whole family
- The aid stations have great views
- The Barrel Racing was fully entertaining and fun
- Get lots of French fries, like lots! They're amazing
- No need to do feeds, unless you want to. there are plenty of aid stations for your rider