Saturday July 18, 2026 Bedwell Koan Ride
Meet at Bedwell Waterfront Park
Driving directions here
Arrival time 8:30 -8:45am
Rolling at 9:15ish
Distance: 25 miles
Route: described below, Strava is here
Duration: 2.5 hours
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.
Sunday June 7, 2026 – Zazen & Berkeley Hills
Join use for a taste of Zazen and a DharmaWheels ride.
Meet at: Berkeley Zen Center (near Ashby BART)
Arrival time: 8:45
Sitting Zazen: 9:00 – 9:30
Rolling: 9:45
Get directions here
There are three routes:
- Short: We’ll head to the Berkeley Aquatic Park bike path and the Bay Trail, then head back via the Ohlone Greenway. 10.3 miles, 269 ft. climbing (as flat as you can get in Berkeley!)
- Medium: When the short routes turns back on the Ohlone Greenway, this route will continue up into the Berkeley Hills, heading to Tilden Regional Park. We’ll then ride along Grizzly Peak with stunning views of the bay and return to BZC. 19.6 miles, 1855 ft. climbing.
- Long: This route will continue further south on Grizzly Peak and then ride through the gorgeous redwoods of the Oakland Hills: Pinehurst Rd, Redwood Rd, and Skyline Rd before heading back to BZC via Montclair and Lake Temescal. 40.8 miles, 3531 ft. climbing.
“To study the Buddha way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things.”
These famous lines are from the Genjokoan (“The Koan of Everyday Life”), a text by the founder of Soto Zen, Eihei Dogen, and the focus of study during the current practice period at the Berkeley Zen Center.
The event is co-led by two participants in the practice period: Shuso Colleen Busch (head student) and Benji Jeff Kastenbaum (attendant). Jeff is a member of the DharmaWheels Board of Directors.
May 23, 2026 – Sacramento Tour of the American River
This is our second visit to the wonderful Sacramento Dharma Center, home to three sangha, 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.
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
February 22, 2026 – Redwood City – Crystal Springs – Old La Honda
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
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.
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 (map)
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 (map)
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.
Questions? Call or text ride leaders: Grant Yolasan at (206) 247-4015 or John Ungvarsky at 510-375-2083.
January 24 – San Francisco Loops – Three Versions
“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
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.
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 or Presidio – Great Hwy – Twin Peaks bypass (Ride with GPS maps).
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).
Meet: Sports Basement Presidio
Meet time: 9:45 am. Roll at 10:00.
Questions? Call or text John Ungvarsky (lead) at 510-375-2083.
August 31: Woodside – Pescadero – Tunitas Creek
“Equanimity is being willing and able to accept things as they are in this moment—whether they’re challenging, boring, exciting, disappointing, painful, or exactly what we want. – Christiane Wolf
We’re in San Mateo County for meditation at IMS and rides with big trees and classic climbs!
Distance: options for 24 or 56 miles
Elevation gains: either 2,300′ or 6,000’
Total Time: for longer route, approximately 6.5 hrs (depends on pace and includes stops)
for shorter route 3.5 hrs.
Warning: These routes include strenuous climbs and steep descents. Please consider your riding abilities when deciding to participate in either ride.
Meditation at Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City 8:30 – 9:10 (optional).
Meet time: 9:45am
Roll: 10:00 sharp
Meet location: roadside parking near intersection of Edgewood Rd and Canada Rd
Shorter option (Strava map): Woodside – Old La Honda. Starting at meeting place, we pass through Woodside and climb Old La Honda Rd, continue to La Honda Rd, which riders climb and descend to Woodside and meeting spot.
Longer option (Strava map): Woodside – Pescadero – Tunitas, After Old La Honda Rd riders head west on La Honda Rd through La Honda, then take Pescadero and Pescadero Creek Roads to Pescadero for rest/fuel break. Then Stage Rd through San Gregorio to Highway 1; then climb Tunitas Creek Rd and descent of Kings Mountain Rd to Woodside and our starting poin
Questions? Call or text John Ungvarsky (lead) at 510-375-2083. (FYI – John has room in his car for someone wanting to carpool from SF (or south of SF) to Woodside. Contact him if interested.)
August 16, 2025: Land of Medicine Buddha (Eureka Canyon, Santa Cruz)
“Equanimity is standing in the middle of all this. It’s more of a sense, rather than an overview. It’s more like having a balance, an emotion, spiritual, or psychological strength that protects us from our own reactivity.” Gil Fronsdal
Possible 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: 9:20 sharp
Meet location: Anne Jean Cummings Park Soquel California
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 gains: 3,700′ (gradual ascent and mostly shaded)
Total Time: approximately 4 hrs depending on pace (includes stops). Likely finish between 2-3pm.
Skill level: Moderate to challenging depending upon skill level
Route link (does not have the correct start/finish location).
Questions? Call or text Michael Nellany (lead) at 831.566.0399
June 15, 2025: Penngrove – Dhammadharini – Sonoma Mountain Road loop
We’re visiting Dhammadharini monastery for a ride on the beautiful and bucolic roads of Sonoma county! We’ll start off with an easy ride to build community before we head up into the hills surrounding Sonoma Mountain Road for a training ride with the option of an additional climb at the end.
Before we roll, we’ll join the regular Sunday Morning Guided Meditation and Q&A with Ayya Sobhana, long-time senior teacher and co-abbess at Dhammadharini. This is a special time to sit with her as this is the last Sunday morning meditation she will be leading at Dhammadharini because she will be retiring from her position and embarking on a period of self-study.
Distance: 18, 30 or 39 miles
Elevation gains: 1,042′ or 2,344’ or 3,871′
Total Time: approximately +/- 2.5 hrs (shorter option) and +/- 3.5 hrs (longer
option) or +/- 4 hrs (with extra climb) Time depends on pace and includes stops.
Description: Starts and ends at Dhammadharini monastery. 6791 Sturtevant Drive, Penngrove, CA 94951
Meet at Dhammadharini monastery
Meet time: 8:50 for those joining the meditation and question and answer, which is held outside (bring adequate clothing); 10:30 for all others.
Roll: 10:40 am sharp
Parking: There is limited parking at Dhammdharini. If there is not parking off Sturtevant Dr., you can also park at one of the following nearby sites:
Magnolia Park (cross Bodway Pkwy to access Weiss Ln)
1400 Valley House Dr parking lot (near Sally Tomatoes)
Sonoma State Univ parking lot F ($5 charge)
Shorter ride: Dhammadharini – Penngrove – Crane Canyon Rd – Pressley Rd (Ride with GPS map). Starting at Dhammadharini (Dd), we’ll ride (mostly bike paths) through Rohnert Park, climb Crane Canyon Rd, and descend Pressley Rd, and return to DD.
Longer ride: Dhammadharini – Penngrove – Sonoma Mountain (Ride with GPS map). Starting in Dd, we’ll ride through Rohnert Park, climb Crane Canyon Rd, continue on Grange Rd, Bennett Valley Rd, Warm Springs Rd, Sonoma Mtn Rd, Pressley Rd, and return to Dd.
Bonus Climb: Dhammadharini – Penngrove – Lichau Road (Ride with GPS map). If you’d like to add a higher level of climbing training to the ride, at the end there is a very beautiful, challenging climb on Lichau Road that you can add on as a bonus of 9 miles and 1,450 ft.
Saturday May 17th, 2025 – Marin County — Mt Tam clockwise
For our 5th Community Ride of 2025, we use a climb of Mt. Tamalpais to hone our embrace of equanimity.
Meet time: 9:45 am at Mike’s Bikes
Roll time: 10:00 am
Route on ridewithgps: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50531640
Description: Starting and ending at Mike’s Bikes in Sausalito (along the bike path), the route circles around Mt Tam in a clockwise direction. It’s all paved. The route starts climbing on the twisty residential streets of Mill Valley up to Panoramic Highway (mile 7.0). Then it’s up Panoramic Highway, past Mountain Home Inn, and along to the Pantoll Ranger Station (mile 11.5) where there’s water and a bathroom. Then the last bit of climbing to the Rock Springs trailhead/parking area (mile 13.0).
It’s not included in the route as mapped, but we have the option — and it’s only an option! — to continue up to the top of Mt Tam (and back) for some bonus miles.
And then the reward: a long swoopy downhill on Ridgecrest Drive, along through the Seven Sisters to the intersection with the Bolinas-Fairfax Road (mile 16.8). From there, it’s more swoopy, twisty downhill under the tall redwoods, over Alpine Dam (mile 19.2) and up and down to Azalea Hill (mile 23.4). This is the last lump of elevation. From there, it’s down to the town of Fairfax (mile 27.3) where we’ll take a little break for calories and caffeine. Options abound.
From Fairfax, it’s back to Sausalito along multi-use paths and (mostly) low-traffic streets. Very flat.
Distance: 39.3 miles
Elevation gain: 3,714′
Total Time: 5 hours more or less.
This is a friendly, no-drop 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. Lights front and back are strongly recommended.
Questions? Call or text the ride leader:
Pete Gang 707-338-7111
Saturday April 26th, 2025 — Sonoma County — King Ridge loop
Click here for the ride video!
For our 4th Community Ride of 2025, we’re in Sonoma County for a truly world-class ride: King Ridge to/from Duncans Mills! This ride digs deep into the wild, untamed reaches of Sonoma County — from stately redwoods to the vastness of a big blue ocean. And, yes, there’s a bit of climbing involved, but this is not a race!
Date: April 26, 2025
Meet at 9:45am sharp, rolling at 10:00
Location: outside the Gold Coast Bakery and Cafe in the tiny town of Duncans Mills.
Distance: 49.2 miles
Elevation gain: 5,100′
Total Time: Let’s say 6 to 6-1/4 hours total time. (That’s based on our experience doing this ride in August 2023. Total time depends on temperature, number and length of breaks, mechanical issues, phase of the moon, etc.)
Route on ridewithgps: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/50490355
Description: Starting in Duncans Mills, just a few miles inland from the mouth of the Russian River, we cruise flatly to the little town of Cazadero. There is water and a little general store in Cazadero. Then we follow King Ridge Road as it wends and climbs and descends through an amazing variety of landscapes. It’s remote and beautiful. At mile 23.6, we take a left on Hauser Bridge Road (with views of the gold domes of Odiyan Retreat Center), down the hill, across the bridge over the not-yet-mighty Gualala River, then back up to a water stop opposite Ratna Ling Retreat Center. We follow Seaview Road past Salt Point State Park, past tall trees and open fields. At mile 34.5, we continue on Meyers Grade with its jaw-dropping views of the big ocean. We plunge down to Route One and continue down all the way to sea level, and thence through the little town of Jenner (mile 44.4 — Cafe Aquatica: water, snacks, bathrooms). From Jenner, it’s a few mostly flat miles back to Duncans Mills.