DharmaWheels

Hi everyone. All is set for the community ride tomorrow!
We’ll meet by the bathrooms, which are a little farther in, so don’t park right away when you enter. Or, if you do, just ride along the road a few hundred yards. Everything is very open, so we won’t have any trouble finding each other.

July Community Ride

Saturday July 18, 2026 Bedwell Koan Ride

Meet at Bedwell Bayfront Park
Driving Directions: https://tinyurl.com/48fwfxhn
Arrival time 8:30 -8:45am
Rolling at 9:15ish
Distance: 25 miles
Duration: 2.5 hours
Route: described below,
Strava: https://www.strava.com/routes/3493045332300311200

Come join us on this flat, gravely ride that can be done on 28mm road tires or wider. Road, gravel, or mountain bikes are welcome. We’ll look at our collection of tires and make a few small choices along the way to make it work for everyone. This is a 25 mile one-size-fits-all ride. The leader will bring waivers for all to sign before we depart.
This is a “koan ride”. We’ll introduce our koan for the day and briefly discuss the Zen tradition of koan practice. Then we’ll roll out towards Meta campus and over the Dumbarton bridge. On the bridge, we have our own pedestrian crossing separated from traffic by a permanent concrete barrier. Then we’ll venture out into the SF Bay on the Coyote Hills berms and commune with the abundant water fowl. The berms are well packed dirt that rides smoothly. As we ride, we’ll keep the koan in the back of our minds and otherwise just peddle and enjoy the ride.

At the farthest point out in the bay, we’ll do a short sit (or stand) in the quiet of the spot. Then we’ll discuss the koan briefly, gathering different perspectives from the group.

Then we’ll turn east and circle Coyote Hills Park before returning to a short berm section and across the bridge to Meta and Bedwell. As we ride this section, we can savor new perspectives on the koan that we’ve encountered from our fellow riders.

The ride is led by Dharma Wheels board member, Jeff Erickson, a student of koan studies in the Sanbo Zen tradition.

Our May ride heads to sunny and flat Sacramento for a tour along the majestic American River. (Yes, you can swim here.)

This is our second visit to the wonderful Sacramento Dharma Center, home to three buddhist meditation groups, and their beautiful gardens, meditation hall, library, and kitchen. There will be food treats!!!

Bring small gift items like socks, beanies, and underwear, or food items such as soft gels, energy bars, or home-made PBJ sandwiches. The theme of the ride is offering service. We request that participants bring a new item of clothing or food to donate at an encampment of unhoused people where the ride will pause for 20 minutes.

Most of the ride is on the American River Bike Way away from car traffic. We’ll begin with a standing meditation before rolling off, make use of a riding mantra during the ride, and enjoy a short meditation before the short and long routes split apart. After the ride, a group may head for a nice lunch before driving home.

Distance, Elevation Gain and Approximate Times:

Short Route: 20 miles
Long Route: 45 miles

Both groups ride together along the river to the unhoused encampments. We divide after conducting a meditation circle. The short ride returns to SDC where you can wait for the long group, go out to lunch together, or depart for home. The long ride heads to Fair Oaks with the option of a vegan lunch at Sunflower Drive Inn.

Time depends on pace and includes stops.

Start/End: Starts and ends at SDC 3111 Wissemann Dr, Sacramento, CA 95826
Date: May 23, 2026
Meet time: 10:00am (sharp)
Roll: 10:15 am

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 leader Dave Mott 916-224- 3334

April 18, 2026 – Dhammadharini – Sonoma Mountain

For our April ride we’re heading to the North Bay and Sonoma County for a special community ride visiting Dhammadharini monastery a Theravada monastery dedicated to providing support for monastic aspirants, most of whom are women, both locally and worldwide.

We’ve had the pleasure of their support during previous pilgrimage events including leading our opening BBP ceremony in 2025 and we’re happy they will be leading it again this September! It’s also Songkran, Thai New Year, and there may be an optional informal ceremony for us to attend depending on our return times.

Before we roll, we’ll hear a short Dhamma teaching from a member of the monastic community and have a short sit. Then we’ll start off with an easy ride along the local SMART train bicycle trail to build community before we head up into the beautiful, scenic hills surrounding Sonoma Mountain Road for a training ride. There will also be the option of an additional climb at the end for those who would like to add more miles and more elevation!

Distance, Elevation Gain and Approximate Times:

Short Route: 18 miles, 1,042 feet, +/- 2.5 hrs
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46466444

Long Route: 30 miles, 2,344 feet, +/- 3.5 hrs
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51045883

Long Route + Bonus Climb: 39 miles, 3,871 feet, +/- 4.5 hrs
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54531901

Time depends on pace and includes stops.

Start/End: Starts and ends at Dhammadharini Monastery. 6791 Sturtevant Drive, Penngrove, CA 94951

Meet time: 9:45am for those joining the talk and sit, which starts at 10am and is held outside (bring adequate clothing); 10:30am for all others.

Roll: 10:40 am sharp

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? Ask here in comments.

Dhammadharini Short Route 18.6 mi, +1067 ft. Bike ride in Sonoma County, CA

March Community Ride next Sunday.
March 22, 2026 - San Francisco loop and over the Bridge

We meet Chan Kaajal park in the Mission just a few blocks from BART.
Meet: 3100 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
Meet time: 9:15 am. Roll at 9:30.

Shorter option: Both routes cruise up the Embarcadero, through the Marina and along Crissey Field. While the long route crosses the bridge, the short route climbs to the Presidio Gate, and heads south to Golden Gate Park.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/54220294?privacy_code=qFWfC1rrsWM70Li3t5agphX95TtKthcw

Longer option: Same as above until arriving at the bridge. We’ll cross to Marin and climb the wonderful ascent to Hawk Hill before touring Gerbode Valley in the Headlands and swooping down to Sausalito for a coffee break. From there, we return over the bridge, climb to the Presidio Gate, and head south to Golden Gate Park.

Questions? Call or text ride leaders: Fahad Ghani (805.705.2513) and Jeff Kastenbaum (914.960.3962)

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

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