Photo Gallery: 2020 Rock Cobbler

On the beautiful Saturday morning of February 8, 2020 in Bakersfield, California, riders pushed east through bare hills, grassy slopes and sandy slots to the entrance of Kern Canyon. Little can prepare you for The Rock Cobbler and 7.0 was no different, stripping us all of something but our love for this sport and the community that endures it. Thanks Sam Ames for bringing us together again and reminding us how good riding gravel can be! Here are a few photos we captured that day, we hope you enjoy them and join us next year for the 8th annual Cobbler.

Covenant Coffee generously offered much needed hot coffee and espresso drinks to event participants at a chilly start. We went with an oat milk cappuccino.

Backmate, a local company that specializes in creating innovative recovery, stimulation, stretching and strengthening products for athletes was a key event sponsor.

The expo area also included tents from SRAM, Zipp and Lauf Cycling.

Our ride for the day was this demo bike courtesy of SRAM, a Salsa Warbird equipped with the eTap Force/Eagle mullet drivetrain.

The 10-50 cassette proved to be an excellent choice for what the full Cobbler would entail.

Just before the first dirt section at mile 13, riders cruised through the Bakersfield Kart Raceway.

One of the more apocalyptic scenes from The Rock Cobbler 7 course, a barren wall of sand and stone.

Most riders walked the unusual landscape, while few attempted to clean it.

Just 15 miles in, many wondered what else Sam had up his sleeve in the remaining 70 miles.

The Rock Cobbler has lots of beautiful singletrack across green fields thanks to winter rains.

Ann Marie and Adam enjoying the ride just before the first aid station around mile 22 stocked with Bonk Breaker bars and Fluid hydration.

As riders pushed further east, bigger climbs and warmer conditions would test the fitness of the 400+ participants.

A common scene among the Bakersfield landscape… trash.

Ryan from @gravelandtactics snapped some great shots that day.

A punctured WTB Raddler saved with a little help from the Dynaplug Racer.

A rider greeted by a friendly cow.

Kern Canyon, the furthest section of the course and perhaps the most beautiful.

The abominable hike-a-bike at mile 70 abhorred by all but Sam Ames, who was enjoying a Lengthwise beer at the finish.

Learn more at:

SamBarn Promotions

Backmate

Covenant Coffee

Lengthwise Brewing

Bonk Breaker

Fluid