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Organized by enthusiastic cyclist and Buddhist practitioner Dennis Crean, the BBP started out as a simple desire to ride his bike with a few friends from the San Francisco Bay Area to Abhayagiri Monastery in Mendocino County. As he began to talk about his plan, he was encouraged to turn it into a “pilgrimage” and to invite other cycling meditators. Thus, the BBP was born, and within a few short months Dennis’s “few friends” turned into a cycling sangha of 80 riders and 40 volunteers.
02/07/2026
February Community Ride!
Redwood City - Crystal Springs - Old La Honda, February 22, 2026 - 9:15am (Optional meditation 8:30-9:10)
We're in San Mateo County for our February community ride from Redwood City to Crystal Springs Reservoir with an optional climb of Old La Honda. The day will start with an optional meditation at Insight Meditation Center.
The Buddha taught us to understand the nature of possessions, status, praise and happiness. Take these things as they come but let them be. If you understand them clearly, you know they’re all impermanent conditions. – Ajahn Chah
�Distance: 21 or 38 miles
�Elevation gains: 1700’ or 3,550'
Total Time: approximately +/- 3 to 4.5 hrs (depends on pace, stops, and option selected). �
Shorter option: From Insight Meditation Center (IMC), we’ll travel through Redwood City via Hopkins Ave, Oak Knoll Dr, and Jefferson Ave to Cañada Rd and continue to Crystal Springs Reservoir before retracing our steps back to IMC. Redwood City - Crystal Springs Res (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53896285)
Longer option: Same as above but instead of returning to IMC, we’ll continue on Cañada Rd to Woodside and eventually climb Old La Honda Rd before returning via La Honda Rd. Redwood City - Crystal Springs Res - Old La Honda (https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53896319)
Meet: IMC,108 Birch St, Redwood City, CA. Optional meditation at IMC from 8:30 - 9:10.
Meet time: 9:15 am. Roll at 9:30.
This is a friendly, no-drop, easy-pace ride. No registration -- just “Show and Go." Riders are required to sign a Waiver of Liability that will be available the day of the ride from the lead. The ride is self-supported, so please bring your own fluids and fuel. We ask that all riders wear a helmet and carry ID. ��
Questions? Call or text ride leaders: Grant Yolasan at (206) 247-4015 or John Ungvarsky at 510-375-2083.
Redwood City - Crystal Springs 20.7 mi, +1710 ft. Bike ride in Redwood City, CA
01/13/2026
Community Ride: San Francisco Loops – Three Versions
January 24, 2026
We're in San Francisco for our first community ride of 2026: A scenic loop that includes three variations depending on your mood for a bit of climbing.
"There is a simple practice we can do to cultivate forgiveness. First we acknowledge what we feel — shame, revenge, embarrassment, remorse. Then we forgive ourselves for being human. Then, in the spirit of not wallowing in the pain, we let go and make a fresh start.” - Pema Chödron
Distance: 22, 25, or 35 miles
Elevation gains: 1576’, 2071’, or 2,876'
Total Time: approximately +/- 3.5 to 4.5 hrs (depends on pace, stops, and option selected).
Shorter option: Starting at Sports Basement, through the Presidio, down Lincoln Blvd to Legion of Honor, on to Great Hwy and Sunset Dunes NP, around Lake Merced, and make our way to Twin Peaks (with shorter option to bypass TP), Arguello to Presidio, and back to starting point. Presidio - Great Hwy - Twin Peaks: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53715102
or Presidio - Great Hwy - Twin Peaks bypass (Ride with GPS maps):
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53715119
Longer option: Same as above but with add on to cross the Golden Gate Bridge and climb to Hawk Hill. Presidio - Great Hwy - Twin Peaks - Hawk Hill (Ride with GPS map): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53715034
Meet: Sports Basement Presidio - https://maps.app.goo.gl/cYYDKsEQyjVRc4cNA
Meet time: 9:45 am.
Roll at 10:00.
This is a friendly, no-drop, easy-pace ride. No registration -- just “Show and Go." Riders are required to sign a Waiver of Liability that will be available the day of the ride from the lead. The ride is self-supported, so please bring your own fluids and fuel (although both are available along the route). We ask that all riders wear a helmet and carry ID. There will be a brief 10-minute meditation break during the ride.
Questions? Call or text John Ungvarsky (lead) at 510-375-2083.
SF Loop: Presidio - Great Hwy - Twin Peaks 25.0 mi, +2071 ft. Bike ride in San Francisco, CA
Our Eighth Community Ride of 2025!
Land of Medicine Buddha (Eureka Canyon, Santa Cruz)
Saturday, August 16th, 2025!
Possibly the best ride in the entire Bay Area including a mellow-to-moderate climb through redwood forests and a fantastic descent on a serpentine, manicured thoroughfare. We’ll stop at the Land of Medicine Buddha Tibetan retreat center and spin the amazing prayer wheel.
Meet time: 9:00am
Roll time: 9:20 sharp
Meet location: Anne Jean Cummings Park,
461 Soquel San Jose Rd, Soquel, CA 95073
Parking: unlimited free parking at the park
Restrooms available and an excellent lunch stop at the Summit Market.
Distance: 45 miles
Elevation gain: 3,700′ (gradual ascent and mostly shaded)
Total Time: approximately 4 hrs depending on pace (includes stops). Likely finish between 2-3 pm.
Skill level: Moderate to challenging depending upon skill level
Route link (does not have the correct start/finish location).
This is a friendly, no-drop ride. There is no registration — just “Show and Go.” Riders must sign a Waiver of Liability (available at the ride). The ride is self-supported, so please bring your own fluids and fuel. Wear a helmet and carry ID. Check the weather forecast and monitor announcements on the WhatsApp channel.
Questions? Call or text Michael Nellany (lead) at 831.566.0399
04/23/2025
Registration is Now Open for the 2025 Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage!
September 13-14
The BBP is a 2-day, 136 mile tour of spiritual sites north of San Francisco. It’s a unique adventure through some of the most beautiful bicycling country in America across the Marin, Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
We visit several Buddhist Centers along the way:
• Spirit Rock Mediation Center - Woodacre, CA
• Stone Creek Zen Center - Graton, CA
• City of 10,000 Buddhas - Ukiah, CA
• Abhayagiri Monastery - Redwood Valley, CA
We recently celebrated a year of joy, and this year's theme is Equanimity.
Participants offer food, supplies, service, monetary donations, and spiritual friendship for our journeys. There are no additional fees. You can divide time riding and volunteering. We welcome all religions and non-religions.
We are a community of novice, intermediate, and experienced cyclists. Some are advanced spiritual practitioners, and others are dipping their toes for the first time. We travel to spiritual destinations, supporting ourselves without fees. After fixed costs, 100% of your gifts go to the communities we visit.
Registration is limited to 100 volunteers and riders!
Register Here: www.bikereg.com/dharmawheels2025
Learn More Here: https://dharmawheels.org
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
