The Rock Cobbler gravel ride, presented by BMC bikes, in Bakersfield, California, has been arguably the most viral gravel event in the world.
It made mainstream news in 2022 with cyclists having run-ins with a bull on course. The Vegan Cyclist later gave it more infamy with his risky take on head injuries and ketones, and over the years there were high-speed curb hops gone wrong, ultra-steep hike-a-bikes and a thousand participants riding through a person’s house.
While the house is gone, a ride-through bar has taken its place:
Despite some of the notoriety, the event attracts a thousand riders to a beautiful but often forgotten part of California, in a time of year some of us are still racing cyclocross and complaining of having only 45-minute legs. “Favorite gravel ride!” “Insane race!” and “Amazing views!” are terms often used to describe the Rock Cobbler.
The 2026 Rock Cobbler gravel ride promises a new course with plenty of scenery and shenanigans. photo: 2025 event, Kris Hull
This year’s event returns for its lucky 13th edition on Saturday, February 7, and promoter Sam Ames is not about to morph his event into a Life Time Grand Prix-style event that caters to gravel pros. While Life Time has banned drop bars from two of its biggest events, Ames has kept to his cyclocross roots and encourages a #runwhatyabrung vibe with course features to keep riders on their toes (literally) and hopefully smiling.
Ames first put on the NorCal vs. SoCal cyclocross championship race that we covered back in 2010, and his Rock Cobbler event continues that original vibe of bringing cyclists together from all over the state to enjoy a fun time on two wheels. Only now participants are rewarded with a full day of fun and suffering instead of just 60 minutes.
Can you tell that promoter Sam Ames first put on cyclocross races before he created the Rock Cobbler? The fast guys still have to do a Leman’s start. photo: 2025 event, Kris Hull
The Rock Cobbler features three distance options, with the Pebbler at 40-50 miles, the Cobbler at 75-90 miles, and the Boulder at up to 115 miles. The courses rely heavily on private property that you can only ride during the event, and the official courses aren’t unveiled until the week of the event. Each course option features plenty of elevation, varying from 3-5000ft for the Pebbler, up to 8,700ft for the Cobbler, and as much as 12,000 ft for the Boulder. Some of that vertical is tackled on foot.
The 2026 Rock Cobbler gravel ride promises a new course with plenty of scenery and shenanigans. photo: 2025 event, Kris Hull
Ames starts the fun and games on Friday, Februay 6, with a shakeout ride, the popular “BMC Barrel race for Cash,” and a pasta dinner.
We hit up Ames for his own words about the event:
The famous (or infamous depending on how much you have been tortured) Rock Cobbler “sorta” gravel ride presented by BMC bikes rolls out Saturday Feb 7th in Bakersfield, CA. This is the 13th running of the event, known for its demanding courses, shenanigans and a party‑like venue. The Rock Cobbler combines unique elements and every off‑road element imaginable to create challenging routes with lots of steep climbs, flowy singletrack and several “what the *&^%” moments over 3 different distances. It’s fully supported with great aid stations and even greater volunteers.
Post‑ride fun will include an awesome lunch from the Bakofornia Grill and live music this year with Bakersfield’s own “The Soda Crackers” taking the stage at 3:30pm. And every year Chief Excitement Officer Sam presents every rider with some kind of cool, unique gift… no trophies or ribbons here, something you can use.
You’ve got almost three weeks to prepare mentally and physically for this unique event. Still coming out of winter hibernation? Try the Pebbler before you hit up the Cobbler. Getting ready for NICA high school mountain bike racing? Ames has a junior discount.
Ames encourages bigger tires and lower gears. Drop bar? Flat bar? Gravel bike? Mountain bike? Yes.
The spirit of gravel is still alive in Bakersfield.
More info: rockcobbler.com
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