These posts reflect the generosity and gratefulness of the pilgrims who have shared the rides in the past few years.

(Posted: June 30, 2018)

Here we go again. The17th pilgrimage DharmaWheels is only 12 weeks away, the Board of Directors is vitalized with 3 new people, and our plans are ahead of schedule. Highlights:

Julie DeHart coordinated the 2018 theme (to be announced soon)
Brian Kruse over-hauled the registration process (it’s live now)
Paul Ries secured camping reservations in Cloverdale
Phil Wiegand chartered a bus for return transportation. .

This bicycle pilgrimage began as a one-time event in 2002. Dennis Crean had an idea, took action, and a pilgrimage happened. That was it. Done.

Then a funny thing happened. Participants asked, “What about next year?” People stepped up, and a second pilgrimage happened. Year after year new-comers created new pilgrimages. They’d get a taste of one pilgrimage, they’d meet like-minded friends, and they’d step up to organize the next. For 17 years , this is how a one-time event repeats in an ever-changing kaleidiscope of participants, monasteries, monks, and nuns.

Behind the scenes is a Board of Directors. We are 8 people who meet year round to formulate a plan, take action, and make the next pilgrimage happen. What have we been up to over the last two year? Big experiments!

We found new routes, new teachers, new Board members, and new pilgrims.
We engaged with monks and nuns from Sri Lanka, Viet Nam, United Kingdom, Austria, and Thailand.

2016

Autumn Bernstein took the reigns of Ride Coordinator.
The Board determined to support the community of nuns at Aloka Vihara.
We scouted a new route, new stops, new campground, and new monasteries.
Our cheer? “To the Nuns!”

2017

Autumn and Peter Crimmin become co-coordinators.
We tuned the new route, added food catering and acupuncture service, and cemented bonds with the teachers.
More than half of the pilgrims were first-time participants.

How does this pilgrimage happen year after year? One year at time.

We rode north, then east, and now we’re riding north again. Anybody want to ride south?

Be safe on the roads, and keep to the path,

PeterC, 2018 Ride Coordinator

(Posted: October 2, 2015)

Well, the dust has settled (a little), everyone is home safe and – wonder of wonders! – it decided to rain. I think what this means is the 2015 Buddhist Bike Pilgrimage (the 14th annual!) is over. Thank you all so much for your wholehearted and spirited participation. Every one of you – even the ones who, for one reason or another had to sit this one out – gave their all to make it a memorable and rewarding experience for everyone.

Contentment and Gratitude fill the skies and cover the great Earth.

First and foremost, we’re grateful to the Buddhist centers that generously host and support this annual event. They are all actively engaged in spreading the Dharma in this land where the need is so great, and working unstintingly to relieve the suffering of all beings. What could be more worthy of praise and support? If you are able, now would be an excellent time to visit the Dana page on the DharmaWheels site – /?page_id=1934 – and make a donation. This will ensure both that the costs of the Pilgrimage are completely covered and that more is left over to distribute to our hosts.

Hime has put together a “Lost and Found” page detailing items in both categories. If you’ve lost something on the Pilgrimage or find yourself in possession of items that, on close inspection, turn out not to be yours, this – /?page_id=3905 – is where to set it right.

Even though it’s a year away, it’s not too soon to start thinking about next year’s Pilgrimage. Perhaps, you enjoyed riding or volunteering this year and it occurred to you that it might be fun to dig in a little deeper. We are always looking for people who wish to be Coordinators and if you think this might be you then please let us know. You can always change your mind, of course. Equally, the DharmaWheels Board has a few slots open and if you have some experience and interest in participating at this level then let us know as well. In either case you can contact me –bbp.ride.coordinator@gmail.com – and I’ll pass along the message.

We love to get feedback on how things went for you and have put up a survey for this purpose. Please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MSKLHVQ and let us know what you think.

If you have photos you’d like to share from the 2015 BBP, please contact Brian.

Finally, as Ride Coordinator I’ve tried my best for two years to carry forward this marvelous event. It has been a gift and an honor and I know that I’ve been unworthy of it. I’ve made so many mistakes that I can’t keep track of the ones I know about, not to mention the ones I’m not even aware of. I can only ask your forgiveness and understanding, and vow to do better.

10,000 thanks to all,

Zachary, (Ride Coordinator)

(Posted: November 21, 2014)

Greetings, 2014 Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrims!

How fitting that, in the week of Thanksgiving, we’re able to share such abundantly good news with you. Thanks to your gifts of in-kind and financial generosity, the 2014 BBP collected dana totaling $5000, after expenses.

The Dharmawheels Foundation is sending a $1,000 check to each of the five spiritual centers: Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Sae Taw Win II, City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Aloka Vihara and Abhayagiri Monastery.*

Our spiritual theme of “Community” continues! It is a special sangha, indeed, when people, bikes and Dharma come together!!! THANK YOU for your support and participation in this event.

We hope to have you with us on the journey, again, next year. Please recall, we are looking for help. If you are interested in serving in a Coordinator position, or shadowing a current Coordinator (to learn the ropes for 2016), please click here to email Lauren Van Ham, DharmaWheels President.

AND…Please mark your calendars: September 26 & 27, 2015. Registration will open (approximately) in early August.

With Every Good Wish to you this season and in the New Year!
Happy Riding,

The DharmaWheels Foundation Board Members:
Tracy Dellavalle Hime Levine Paul Ries Zachary Smith Lauren Van Ham

(Posted: October 3, 2014 after the BBP Ride)

I think it must be true that the future Buddha is somewhere, very ready … the Buddha will appear not as a person but as sangha, as community.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

Greetings Pilgrims!

How has your week been? It is our hope that you have felt the “life-line” of Community each day since we parted ways on Sunday; it has been SO sweet to read the tidbits a number of you have shared with your “reply all” messages this week. Each one of you helped to create another Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrimage – Volunteers, Riders, Coordinators, Monasteries, Board members and everyone else – and we made it safely, together.

Pilgrims, we hope you enjoyed the ride, the weather, the talks, the food, the support, the Dharma, the love, the generosity, the smiles, the hugs and everything else.

Cultivate Community…and, enjoy your magical gift of life.

Special thanks again to the 2014 team of Coordinators (and of course our Volunteers)

BBP Ride Coordinator: Zachary Smith
Volunteer Coordinator: Peter Crimmin
Kitchen Coordinator: Kevin Kienast
RideShare Coordinator: Phil Wiegand
Rest Stop Coordinator: Scott Boaltinghouse
SAG/Sweep Coordinator: David Harcos
Gear Truck Coordinator: John Berry
Spiritual Theme Coordinator: Dennis Crean
Check-In Coordinator: Tracy Dellavalle

May these next months gift you with great riding! We hope to see you on some of our training rides along the way! Stay tuned!

With love and a deep bow to each of you,

The DharmaWheels Board

(Posted: December 17, 2013 after the 2013 BBP Ride)

Greetings, 2013 Buddhist Bicycle Pilgrims!

How fitting that, just after Thanksgiving, I’m able to share such abundantly good news with you: this year’s BBP collected a greater sum of dana than in any years’ previous. Perhaps it was our theme and practice this year of Generosity that so buoyed our efforts? Thanks to your generosity, the 2013 BBP collected dana totaling $7500, after expenses.

What generosity, indeed! The Dharmawheels Foundation will be distributing this money to each of the five spiritual centers: Spirit Rock Meditation Center, Sae Taw Win II, City of Ten Thousand Buddhas, Aloka Vihara and Abhayagiri Monastery (Dharmawheels’ financial statements will be available to anyone, upon request at the end of the year).

As a member of the DharmaWheels Board, as this year’s Ride Coordinator, and as a fellow pilgrim with each one of you, I feel happy, grateful and strengthened by all that happens when people, bikes and Dharma come together!!! THANK YOU for your support and participation in this event.

We hope to have you with us on the journey, again, next year, and we need some help. If you are interested in serving in a Coordinator position, or shadowing a current Coordinator (to learn the ropes for 2015), please email me at: Lauren VanHam

AND…Please mark your calendars: September 27 & 28, 2014. Registration will open (approximately) mid-to-late July for Volunteers and early August for Cyclists.

With Every Good Wish to you this season and in the New Year!

Happy Riding,

The DharmaWheels Foundation Board Members:

Tracy Dellavalle, Hime Levine, Paul Ries, Lauren Van Ham, Bill Weber & Franklyn Wu