Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many riders and volunteers join the Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage (BBP)?
A: We are limited to 100 riders. Rider registration closes when we reach that number. It re-opens if someone un-registers. The number of volunteers needed to host the ride and to have it be successful is 30 or more…the more the merrier.
Q: What is the cost of registering for the Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage (BBP)?
A: The Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage is made possible entirely through volunteer effort and dana. The Buddha’s teachings are given freely and are supported by “dana” or generosity. This ride is developed in the same spirit.

  • There are no registration fees.  
  • Optional camping and charter bus DO have fees.
  • We invite your support in the form of dana cash, food, and volunteering time.
  • 100% of financial donations go to logistical support and to our hosts.  Click here. 
Q: What do we do with the remaining funds after the BBP?
A: When the event is over, we keep a small portion of remaining funds for next year, and the rest we donate to our host centers.  These may include: Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Dhammadharini monastery, City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Abhayagiri monastery, American Buddhist Seminary, Aloka Vihara and others.
Q: What is the daily BBP schedule like?
A: Our two-day event starts at 6:00am on Saturday morning and ends at 4:00pm on Sunday afternoon. The charter bus drops passengers at the start at 8:30pm. For the complete daily schedule please click here.
Q: How are the Volunteer teams set up and organized?
A: During registration volunteers select the teams they are willing to join. The Volunteer Coordinator assigns you to a team as needed. You’ll hear from a team coordinator before the event. Teams usually travel in cars to their assigned destinations and support the pilgrims who are more than grateful for their volunteer efforts.
Q: What will our “accommodations” be like?
A: On Saturday night, we stay at a campground with comfortable amenities.  You will need to bring a tent, sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad.
Q: Do I have to carry my own gear?
A: No. We transport all your gear in our large truck.
Q: What if I can’t complete the ride?
A: Don’t worry if you can’t complete the ride because of illness, accident, or just running out of energy. We’ll help find a ride with a support vehicle.
Q: What food is provided?
A:  There is plenty of healthy biking food.

  • Arrive at the start with a full stomach. No breakfast is provided.
  • Vegetarian meals with a limited ability to accommodate other dietary restrictions.
  • Saturday night hot dinner and Sunday morning hot breakfast.
  • Feel free to bring additional food if your diet requires.
  • Rest Stops every 15-20 miles with good foods and drink.
Q: How do I get home from the end of the ride?
A: We have bus transportation back to the starting point. You can reserve a seat. Click here for more information. Additionally, riders and volunteers cooperate to form carpools to get home. Friends and family are also invited to join us at the closing ceremony at the last stop on Sunday afternoon in order to offer rides. 
Q: How can I fix my flat tire?
A: Click here for the instructions.
Q: How can I help?
A: We ask all riders to participate in the spirit of community by donating something: time, a bag of oranges, a cooler on loan, a vehicle, a ride home for someone along with acts of kindness.  We assembled a food donation list that the kitchen staff and Rest Stop Teams will need to serve you.  We need volunteers too. Click Registration on our home page and consider signing up as a volunteer.

—-A synopsis of the Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage—-

Our annual pilgrimage starts on Saturday check-in, meditation and a talk.  We ride from rest stop to rest stop, and then stop for lunch and a talk.

We continue on to our campground for dinner and a meditation, with rest stops in between. We sleep overnight at the campground. (1st day: around 80 miles).

On Sunday, we wake up for a early morning mediation, a hearty breakfast and continue on to visit the rest stops along the way, and then stop for lunch and a talk.

At our final destination, we will sit for the ending ceremony and afterward get on our bus to be taken back to our starting point. (2nd day: 40 to 50 plus miles)

Along the way, there are rest stops for liquids and sustenance every 10 to 15 miles.  A gear truck hauls your tent and luggage and brings your bike back to the starting point, unless you have a ride back.

There are other teams that help the BBP function throughout the two days.

It’s all very well planned and organized by the Board, Coordinators and Volunteers of the Dharmawheels Foundation.

This is a Dana event which is based on your generosity.

Please join us if you’re inclined.

The Dharmawheels Foundation