KERN WHEELMEN BICYCLE CLUB

Ride: Rattlesnake

Distance: 24.7 miles

Total ascent: 994’

Difficulty: 2

Start: Beach Park. Beach Park is located at the corner of 24th and Oak Streets in Bakersfield. From the north or south on Hwy 99 take the Rosedale Hwy (24th street) turnoff. Proceed approximately ½ mile east to Oak Street. Turn right and go 1 block. Make a right turn on 21st St. and an immediate right into Beach Park. The road in the park is one-way and parking is available throughout the park. There is a small ramp on the north side of the park for entrance to the bicycle path.

Ride: Start on the bicycle path at Beach Park and head east (bear right at 2.7 to stay on the bicycle path). At 3 miles turn right, go thru the Manor Street Tunnel and follow the path across the fenced bridge. The bicycle path continues east below the Panorama Bluffs for 2.7 more miles. CAUTION: This part of the bicycle path is narrow and at times soil and rocks wash onto the path. Be attentive for pedestrians and other cyclists. Bear R at Darrell’s Mini Storage (5.7 miles) and proceed straight on the bike path to Alfred Harrell Hwy (6.1 miles). Cross Alfred Harrell Hwy and take the frontage road east past the big red Indian to the overpass. Cross under the overpass and make a L on the on-ramp (7.1 miles) to rejoin Alfred Harrell Hwy. Go east on Alfred Harrell Hwy, thru Hart Park (water & restrooms) and make a sharp R onto the bike path (12.7 miles) as you approach C.A.L.M (California Living Museum). Follow the bike path up Rattlesnake turning right at the top of the climb and make a L onto Morning Drive (15.3 miles). Go south on Morning Drive to Panorama Drive and turn R (15.9 miles). Stay on Panorama Drive for the next five plus miles and bear R at 21.2 miles (descend onto Manor Street). After merging onto Manor Street cross over to the left lane and make a left at the 1st stop light (CAUTION: Watch for fast traffic while crossing to the left lane on Manor Street). Enter the parking lot and continue south onto a short ramp and back to the bike path going west (turn R). Continue west on the bike path back to Beach Park (24.7 miles). Local riders do this ride quite frequently when time does not permit a longer ride.

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KERN WHEELMEN BICYCLE CLUB

Ride: Round Mountain CCW (Counter Clock Wise)

Distance: 38.2 miles

Total ascent: 1,830’

Difficulty: 3

Start: Beach Park. Beach Park is located at the corner of 24th and Oak Streets in Bakersfield. From the north or south on Hwy 99 take the Rosedale Hwy (24th street) turnoff. Proceed approximately ½ mile east to Oak Street. Turn right and go 1 block. Make a right turn on 21st St. and an immediate right into Beach Park. The road in the park is one-way and parking is available throughout the park. There is a small ramp on the north side of the park for entrance to the bicycle path.

Ride: Start on the bicycle path at Beach Park and head east (bear right at 2.7 to stay on the bicycle path). At 3 miles turn right, go thru the Manor Street Tunnel and follow the path across the fenced bridge. The bicycle path continues east below the Panorama Bluffs for 2.7 more miles. CAUTION: This part of the bicycle path is narrow and at times soil and rocks wash onto the path. Be attentive for pedestrians and other cyclists. Turn left at Darrell’s Mini Storage (5.7 miles) and proceed to the stop sign. Turn left and go approximately .5 miles to Round Mountain Road. Turn right on Round Mountain Road. Continue on Round Mountain Road for the next 19 miles. You will pass through rural residential areas and occasionally see the Kern River below you on the right. After initial rollers you will start a 3 mile climb to the summit of Round Mountain (17.5 miles and 1,442’). CAUTION: The descent will take you down very sharp turns and over 4 cattle guards. Because this road goes thru one of Bakersfield’s oil fields you will come across oil field traffic including large trucks. The conditions of the road dictate that you ride slowly at times. Turn left on Granite Road (25.4 miles) and do the final climb up Poso Grade. The descent from the top is quite nice with speeds reaching 25 to 30 mph. Turn left on N. Chester Ave. (31.7 miles). Turn left on James Road (33.0 miles) and follow the curve to Chester Ave. (James Road turns into Chester Ave.) Continue south on Chester Ave. thru Oildale and across the Kern River Bridge. Turn right immediately after crossing the bridge (36.2 miles) and enter the bicycle path. Follow the bicycle path west back to Beach Park. All cyclists from Bakersfield do this ride or some variation of it.

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Ride: Zerker Loop

Distance: 58.0 miles

Total ascent: 1,530’

Difficulty: 3 (Because of distance)

Start: Beach Park. Beach Park is located at the corner of 24th and Oak Streets in Bakersfield. From the north or south on Hwy 99 take the Rosedale Hwy (24^thstreet) turnoff. Proceed approximately ½ mile east to Oak Street. Turn right and go 1 block. Make a right turn on 21^stSt. and an immediate right into Beach Park. The road in the park is one-way and parking is available throughout the park. There is a small ramp on the north side of the park for entrance to the bicycle path.

Ride: Start on the bicycle path at Beach Park and head east. At 2.2 miles, after going under the Chester Ave. Bridge make a sharp R at the access path and onto Chester Ave. north. Turn R onto N. Chester Ave (5.5 miles) and then R again at Granite Road (6.7 miles). CAUTION: Heavy traffic at times on Granite Road (single file). Turn L on Famoso Road (18.9 miles). The next thirty miles on this course offers great opportunities for pace-lining as it is mostly flat with moderate traffic. Bear L on Famoso Road (24.3 miles) and continue to Hwy 65. Cross Hwy 65 and continue on Famoso Road. Turn L on Zerker Road (31.6 miles) and enjoy the view of manicured farms as you cross Poso Creek heading south. Turn R on Lerdo Hwy and take a short rest at the Chevron Station. Continue east on Lerdo Hwy and turn L at the stoplight back onto Zerker Road (39.7 miles). Follow the S-turn and continue south to 7th Standard Road. Cross 7th Standard Road and make a L on Noriega (47.1 miles), continue E on Noriega Road. Turn R on Calloway Road. Follow Calloway south for three and one half miles and turn R onto the short path that leads to the bike path (52.7 miles). Turn R on the bike path and continue east along the Kern River back to Beach Park. All of the climbing on this ride is in the first 19.0 miles. If you have the need for speed, the rest of this ride won’t disappoint. Great ride all year long except for occasional fog or rain.

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Ride:Golden Empire Classic Road Race (Click Here for Event Flyer)

Distance:31 miles

Total ascent:1,830’

Difficulty:3

Start: North Chester Extension near the Bakersfield Speedway.  Parking is abundant but about a 5 minute walk from the staging/start finish line.  Parking on the side of the road is permitted BUT PLEASE DO NOT PARK ON THE EAST/RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! LEFT SIDE (WEST) ONLY!!!

Directions to Start:  From Hwy 99 going north, exit Hwy 65/Porterville Hwy North to Merle Haggard Drive.  Turn right on Merle Haggard Drive, east to North Chester Avenue.  Turn left on North Chester which becomes James Road.  Turn right on North Chester Extension to parking and registration.  From Hwy 99 going south, same directions except exit Merle Haggard Drive, turn left (east to North Chester).

Ride:A challenging 31 mile loop with one good climb, one good downhill, some rollers and flats.  Course road conditions vary from excellent to choppy in a few spots.  This is an open course with centerline rule STRICTLY enforced for the entire course.  Start/Finish at North Chester Extension, north to Granite Road, turn right go north to Round Mountain Road, turn right full loop west then back south over the climb, east through the oilfields to China Grade Loop Road, right on manor Drive to North Chester/James Road, right onto North Chester Ext to finish.

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Ride: Buttonwillow/McKittrick Grade

Distance: 56.3 miles

Total ascent: 3,640’

Difficulty: 4

Start: Buttonwillow Park.  Buttonwillow is located 22 miles west of Bakersfield on Hwy 58.  From Hwy 99 take Rosedale Hwy 10.5 miles west to Enos Lane.  Turn right on Enos Lane and go 1 mile north to Hwy 58.  Turn left on 58 and continue straight for 11 miles to Buttonwillow Park (on your right as you enter Buttonwillow).  Turn right on Meadow Street and go 2 blocks north to the parking lot on your right.  Restroom available in the park.

Ride: Start in the parking lot at Buttonwillow Park and go 2 blocks south to Hwy 58.  Turn right on Hwy 58 go thru town and continue west.  CAUTION: No shoulder on 58 and heavy traffic at times.  At 4.5 mile the road will curve south toward McKittrick. Continue south across the California Aquaduct for a 1% to 3% climb out of the valley to McKittrick.  Just before McKittrick the road kicks up to 6% for 1 mile.  At 12.6 miles turn left on Hwy 33/58 and proceed to the McKittrick Market on your right.  Food and drinks are available as well as a restroom in the rear.  Continue south on Hwy 33/58 for .6 mile and turn right on Hwy 58.  The first 6 miles take you over rollers.  The final 9 miles of the climb kick up to 5% to 8% grades.  Rest up at the summit (3,215’) then descend carefully because of loose rock falling to the roadway at times.  The descent is very fast and should be taken more slowly in case of high winds.  Return to the store, rest and fuel up.  Continue .3 mile north and turn right on Hwy 58.  The descent from McKittrick is great for pace-lining and you should be rewarded with a tail wind upon turning east for the final 4 miles into Buttonwillow.  Go thru town and turn left on Meadows Street, returning to the parking lot in Buttonwillow Park.  Savvy Bakersfield riders do this ride quite often in the Spring and Summer months.  Going up McKittrick Grade you get a scenic view of the valley as you climb.  For a treat after the ride full services are available at the Buttonwillow Truck Stop 4 miles east of Buttonwillow (Hwy 58 and Interstate 5).  They have Starbucks, Subway Sandwich and for a special treat the locals go to Willow Ranch Café.

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Ride: Banducci Loop

Distance: 38.1 miles

Total ascent: 3,214’

Difficulty: 4

Start: Keene, California. Keene is located 28 miles east of Bakersfield.  Take Hwy 58 east of Bakersfield to the Keene turn-off (28 miles).  Exit Hwy 58 (right) and turn left at the bottom of the ramp.  Proceed straight ahead (200 feet) to the unpaved parking area adjacent to the Keene Café.

Ride: Start at the Keene Café and head east on Woodford/Tehachapi Road (left out of the parking lot).  At approximately 2 miles, stop and read the historical monument marker for the Tehachapi Loop (famous circular train track to aid trains in ascending/descending the steep Tehachapi Grade).  From here there is a steady 4% to 6% climb for 6 miles before descending into the out skirts of Tehachapi.  Turn right on Old Town Road at mile 9.0 (water faucet available at sheriff’s substation on right).  For the next 3 miles you will encounter rollers as you wind thru Golden Hills until you reach Hwy 202 (12.0 miles).  CAUTION: Heavy traffic at times on 202. Ride single file and be extra careful as you will cross Hwy 202 several times for the remainder of the ride.  Following the route sheet you will snake thru the Cummings Valley for the next 8 miles until you make a left turn onto Banducci Road (20.1 miles).  Proceeding on Banducci Road, you will encounter 6% to 8% grades for the last 3 miles of this climb (Banducci Grade).  The top of Banducci Grade is a good spot to regroup before descending back to Golden Hills.  Follow the route sheet thru Golden Hills back to Woodford/Tehachapi Road (29.2 miles).  You will have a 2 mile climb (3% to 6%) and a fast paced 6 mile curving descent back to the Keene Café.  If you have the time, plan on staying for lunch at the Keene Café after your ride.  The Café has a great menu and cyclists are welcome.

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Ride: Cow Flat (Lake Ming Start)

Distance: 35.4 miles

Total ascent: 3,830’

Difficulty: 4

Start: Chevron service station (Lake Ming). From Hwy 99 take Hwy 178 east 10 miles to Alfred Harrell Hwy. Turn left and go north 2 miles to Lake Ming Road. The Chevron service station is on your left. Park along Lake Ming Road across from the service station.

Ride: Go east and south on Alfred Harrell Hwy for 2 miles to the stop light at Hwy 178. Continue straight on Comanche Road (Alfred Harrell turns into Comanche) for 2.6 miles to Breckenridge Road. Turn left and start a gradual climb and then descent to the base of Breckenridge Mountain. After a short descent the real climbing begins up to what the locals call the lookout (6% to 10% grades for 4 miles). After reaching the lookout there is a short descent and then a steady 5% to 6% grade for 6 miles. You will summit at 17.2 miles (3,140’) then descend for .5 miles to a green pipe gate on the left side of the road. This is where the Cow Flat Forest Service Road intersects Breckenridge Road (Turn around). CAUTION: Breckenridge Road is a little rough on the descent. Watch for cracks, potholes, dirt and gravel on the road. Go slow if this is your first time. After descending turn right on Comanche Road (30.8 miles). Continue north on Comanche to the stop light at Hwy 178. Continue straight on Alfred Harrell Hwy for 2 miles back to the Chevron station at Lake Ming Road. Most locals prefer to do this ride from March thru November. April and May are fantastic months for this ride because of the wild flowers. For true climbers, you can continue farther up Breckenridge to Peacock Ranch and eventually the Breckenridge Mountain summit (6,900’), but these will be posted as other rides.

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Ride: Lion's Trail

Distance: 44 miles

Total ascent: 3,900’

Difficulty: 4

Start: Caliente Post Office. Caliente is located 25 miles east of Bakersfield. Take Hwy 58 east to the Caliente turn-off (23 miles). Turn left and descend 2 miles down Bealville Road to the town of Caliente. The Post Office is on the right. Park in the dirt lot adjacent to the Post Office.

Ride: Start at the Caliente Post Office and head east 3 miles to Caliente Bodfish Road (sharp left turn). Immediately start climbing up Lions Trail for 9 miles (gradients from 5% to 12%). You will crest the summit (4,250’) and descend into Walker Basin. CAUTION one cattle guard on the descent to Rankin Ranch. At the bottom of the descent turn right and stop at Rankin Ranch to top off your water bottles (cyclists are welcome). Proceed on Walker Basin Road in an easterly direction to the "Fire Station" and then on Caliente Creek Road to the store at Twin Oaks (red building on your left (food and water available). The next 15 miles greet you with a steady 1% to 2% descent and 25 to 30 mph speeds (great for pace-lining with experienced riders). This section has very sharp turns and winds can be quite severe in the afternoon. Take it easy if this is your first time. One of the clubs favorite rides for Spring, Fall and cooler Summer Days.

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Leave from Beach Park and head east on the Kern River parkway to the Chester Ave. underpass, turn hard right off of Parkway onto Chester Ave. heading north. Continue to North Chester and turn right and continue to Woody Granite Rd. and turn right again. Follow Woody Granite Rd to Round Mountain Rd. and turn right and follow this winding road through the Poso Valley up and over Round Mountain, about 1200 feet of climbing here but can be done in a large chainring, continue on to the top but prepare for the last kicker, it's about 11% incline for a couple hundred yards and then it's downhill. Follow this road and it will become China Grade loop Rd. untill you get to Gordons Ferry then turn left across the Kern River, continue on the road and veer left then make a left turn off of this road before you go over Allfred Harrell Hwy. go past Ethyls Diner and on and under the Hwy overpass, turn left onto the hwy onramp and follow Allfred Harrell Hwy. through Hart Park. You can stop at the Park and refill water and take a break if you want and then continue on until you reach the (CALM) California Living Museum, at this point you will see an entrance to the bike path you may have noticed off to your right, enter the path and follow it to the top and then follow it right and continue on to the end where you will be able to turn left onto the road. Follow the road to Panorama Blvd and turn right. Continue the full length of Panorama Blvd and when you are at a point where you can either follow the road left or veer right, go right, this is a steep downhill that empties onto a busy street, Manor St. At the intersection turn left into the park and pick up the parkway again and ride back to Beach Park, congratulations your done. A Great Ride and one of our favorites here in Bakersfield. Enjoy!

A great ride with moderate climbs and lots of -1, -2% declines for a higher avg. speed. 8 miles of 6-8% incline.

Great ride for an 85 degree day in Bakersfield. Moderate climbs to Woody. Woody to Alta Sierra mostly 4% to 10% climbs. Great descent from Alta Sierra to Glennville and back to Bakersfield. Definitely a ride for well conditioned experienced riders. Want a shorter route with serious climbing, start in Glennville and go to Alta Sierra and back.