Practice with Purpose: Big Bear Weekend Pushes Rebelle Skills to the Limit

Less than three months until the Rebelle Rally, and what do we do? Host a full-blown simulation weekend in the mountains of Big Bear, of course. For months, Jessi and I have been planning this, refining maps, adjusting routes, prepping packets, all with one mission: to give our fellow Rebelles the most realistic, curveball-packed training weekend we could pull off.

Weekend Recap & Pre-Rally Prep

Two weeks ago, we ran a dry rehearsal during our Back in Action: Big Bear Sim Weekend. That practice gave us the feedback and confidence to adjust and improve the upcoming weekend. The final week before this event was a logistical hustle: confirming attendees, printing fresh sets of maps, tweaking the checkpoint guide until it was as accurate as possible, and brainstorming some extra skills-based curveballs to toss in. This wasn’t just about recreating rally conditions; it was about helping our fellow Rebelles stretch and refine their toolkit.

I (Jessica) rolled out early Thursday, solo in my 4Runner with a to-do list and a headlamp. I ran the on-time enduro route, re-checked distances, and secured a campspot big enough for 12 vehicles. Time got tight. There were last-minute file edits, packet updates, and tech details to lock in. Not my favorite way to work, but rally-style flexibility kicked in. I uploaded the final files, had my husband print them at home, and finally crashed for a few hours under the stars.

Friday: Final Setup & Team Itinerary

Friday morning started strong. My husband met me on the trail, and we scouted out his support assignment. We kicked up some dirt for fun, then headed back to camp. Jessi had already arrived with her family and was deep in setup mode. With both our teams in place, we finalized the support plan, who would be stationed where, who would follow teams through trickier sections, and how we’d tag-team the day.

Each team received a full rally-style packet:

• 4 detailed maps

• 3 enduros (including an on-time one)

• Checkpoint guide

• Trail history

• Bingo card of off-vehicle and navigation-based challenges

Was it a lot? Absolutely. But that was the point. We wanted to pack in as much Rebelle realism as possible, the good, the gritty, and the confusing.

By night, the other six Rebelles and their families had arrived. Camps were built, and packet envelopes were passed out. Whether they wanted to study or sleep, we left that up to them, a rare luxury, since in the actual rally, you don’t receive your checkpoint guide until morning, so evening prep isn’t even an option.

Saturday: Rally Training in Action

The 4:50 Alarm Club
The day started in true Rebelle fashion: before dawn, in the cold. I turned on the lights just in case anyone wanted to get a head start on plotting. Around 5:30, teammates began moving. At 6:00, we gathered everyone for a driver meeting where Jessi and I gave a rundown of packet details, day structure, and tips to get the most out of the experience.

The Start Line
Before the Rebelles rolled out, Jessi’s son and my husband, Stephen, headed out a few minutes early to get staged at their assigned support points along the route. Once they were in position, we launched each team at 5-minute intervals:

• 7:00 – Kristen & Allison (Bronco Team)

• 7:05 – Adriana & Kristie (Jeep Team)

• 7:10 – Nykki & Ashley (Lexus Team)

Jessi and I followed in our own vehicles to begin our support sweeps and trail check-ins.

Trail Tales
After teams knocked out checkpoints 1 through 3, I caught up with them for photos and encouragement. Two of the teams opted into an optional rock-crawl detour, a tougher, more technical loop than the Rebelle Rally usually allows, but hey, this was about growth. They tackled it like pros... until they met an unexpected bottleneck: 13 vehicles coming from the opposite direction at the worst possible choke point. Forty-five minutes of standstill later, they finally cleared through.

Even with delays, they crushed the rest:

• CP6 brought them back on track

• CP7 Jessi held it down at the green checkpoint, offering real-time guidance

• CPs 8 through 12 were tackled with skill and spirit — I met them near a mine overlook for drone shots and cheers

• CP13 wound through forest terrain into a beautiful field where Stephen was set up for the next green CP

• CP14 through 18 tight navigation with little margin for error

• On-time enduro: The final timed challenge that curved south toward Big Bear City

At CP20, the final checkpoint, Stephen and I were there cheering as each team rolled in, marking the end of a long trail day. From there, the Rebelles completed one last on-route enduro to navigate their way back to camp. Waiting for them? Jessi, with hot, homemade pizza ready to serve. After hours on the trail, dust-covered and smiling, it tasted like victory.

Sunday: Fine-Tuning Foundational Skills

Sunday was designed to be slower, but no less impactful. It was Bingo day, and not the kind your grandma plays. The teams took on tasks like heading exercises, pacing distance markers, and calculating bearings between posts. I used Stephen’s long measuring tape to set up 25m and 50m markers, common black checkpoint radii during the rally. Watching the teams physically pace those distances, adjusting their stride, double-checking counts, it was a beautiful reminder of how detailed this competition really is.

This was the kind of learning that sticks. On the rally course, when you’re low on sleep and high on adrenaline, muscle memory from moments like these matter.

The Heart of the Weekend: Team Awards 💙💚🧡

As I watched the women throughout Saturday, navigating curveballs, solving problems together, and supporting each other, I couldn’t stop thinking: Every team deserves an award.

So I made some up. And on Sunday, before they hit the road, I shared with each team their personalized award and explained why they earned it. These weren’t just feel-good titles. They reflected what I saw in each woman out there, grit, calm, courage, and heart.

🟦 Jeep Team - Adriana & Kristie
🏆 Award Title: GRIT RUNS DEEP
Why They Got It:
This team showed up without their full original crew but adapted seamlessly. They had positive energy, embraced the challenge, and stayed tough throughout the weekend. They embodied flexibility, resilience, and determination.

🟩 Bronco Team - Allison & Kristen
🏆 Award Title: CHILL MODE: ACTIVATED
Why They Got It:
This team brought a calm, veteran presence. Nothing rattled them. They handled obstacles with ease, stayed steady, and gave off a chill, confident vibe that helped ground the whole group.

🟧 Lexus Team - Nykki & Ashley
🏆 Award Title: SEND IT
Why They Got It:
First-time teammates, rookies, and zero hesitation. They jumped into the challenge headfirst and ran at their own pace — bold, ambitious, and totally in the spirit of the rally. They made the day their own and didn’t hold back.

These awards will be turned into stickers. I’m working on the designs this week and mailing them out to each team soon. I hope they serve as a small reminder of a big weekend.

Reflections & Rally Readiness

This weekend reminded me how much it takes to make something like the Rebelle Rally, or even a practice weekend, work. It's logistics, yes. But it's also heart. Flexibility. Teamwork. Encouragement. Grit.

Watching the teams plot checkpoints in the dark, climb rocks with confidence, re-route after delays, and laugh at the end of the day was exactly what I needed to see. It reminded me why I signed up for this. Why we show up. And why this community is so special.

Huge Thanks & Next Steps

Big love to:

• Jessi, for being an incredible teammate, co-leader, and calm in the chaos.

• Stephen, for showing up with support, snacks, and problem-solving energy on the fly.

• Our Rebelle attendees, for bringing heart, hustle, and humor to every checkpoint.

Now it’s back to rally prep — with fresh memories, better pacing skills, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Want more behind-the-scenes stories, prep updates, and rally reflections?

Watch the Instagram Reel of our Weekend >>HERE<<