You asked! We answered! After all the excitement and positive feedback from our first Altadena Community Bike Ride, the Lotus crew, Councilmember Dorothy “Dot” Wong, and the Altadena Bicycle Club returned for our second ride. This time, we had some help from Lee, store manager at Panda Express. Fueled by the energy and momentum of the fire horse, along with some tasty mooncakes, our Lunar New Year Community Bike Ride took place on Feb. 21, 2026. Neighbors and supporters came together to ride through Altadena and Pasadena and show up for residents rebuilding after the wildfire. Read on for some of the highlights.
Around the Cycle
A big shoutout to Ryan, owner of Around the Cycle, who generously let us use his store (and parking lot) as a meeting place and once again provided bikes for anyone who needed one for the ride. Around the Cycle just celebrated their 12-year anniversary and is a local favorite in the Pasadena/Altadena area (4.9 stars on Yelp!).
Fresh off a week of rain, the morning of the ride was chilly, but the sun was out and the sky was clear. Jeff from Around the Cycle and his wife Laura were the first to arrive and help us get ready. Lee brought the mooncakes, and her energy was infectious and unlimited. As riders started showing up, we were once again reminded of the power of community. Some came from as far as Santa Clarita. Others had joined us on our previous ride, but for many, this was their first. We counted 29 at the starting point of this 15-mile intermediate ride, and a few more were joining us later for the family-friendly portion.
Photo and video by: Belinda C.
Devil’s Gate Dam
The Devil’s Gate Dam and Reservoir were one of the first stops along the route. This iconic dam was built in 1920 and protects Pasadena and neighboring cities from flooding. The Hahamongna Watershed Park is a 1300-acre park behind the dam that’s popular not just with cyclists, but also with hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. There are restrooms and picnic areas and is dog-friendly.
Altadena Community Garden
Signs of hope and recovery were at the Altadena Community Garden. This beloved local garden was hit hard by the Eaton fire – all 84 plots were destroyed, the soil was contaminated with toxic chemicals, and more than half of the garden’s members lost their homes in the fire. Volunteers have been working to restore the garden since last year. With a grant from the California Community Foundation, gardeners and volunteers are working to restore the soil using sustainable gardening methods like mushrooms and sunflowers to neutralize contaminants.
Cobb Estate/Echo Mountain Trail
Another historical spot on our route is the Cobb Estate. “A quiet refuge for people and wildlife forever” reads the sign by the gate. It was once owned by the Marx Brothers, but the land is now a nature preserve managed by the US Forest Service. Unfortunately, the hiking trail is still closed due to the fire.
Bunny Museum
Our route took us past another local treasure, the Bunny Museum, which was destroyed in the Eaton fire. It had been the only museum dedicated to bunnies with over 46,000 documented artifacts and memorabilia. The owners plan to rebuild. We were one of the first to see the new stainless steel bunny sculpture, “Scanner,” which had been unveiled the day before and now sits on the former site. Scanner is 14 feet tall and weighs 1,100 lbs. Created by Jesse Zhao of China, the sculpture was donated to the museum by Wesley Zucco of Monrovia.
Finishing at Panda Express
Some riders left early, while others joined us for the last family-friendly leg of the route, but we ended our bike ride at Panda Express for lunch and conversation. Manager Andrea and her team welcomed us warmly. There were smiles all around from riders. “Gorgeous!” “Amazing!” We truly lucked out with the beautiful sunny weather.
Over plates of orange chicken and chow mein, we talked about hope and renewal. Empty lots were still aplenty along the route, but for one of our young riders, there was an unexpected sign of hope. The bike route unintentionally took her down her own street where her house once stood. Hesitant at first, she bravely joined the other riders and saw the empty lot for the first time. Dot shared how volunteers are scattering poppy and sunflower seeds across burnt out properties in Altadena, and as they bloom, can be a symbol of hope. Our young rider picked a sunflower from the lot that was once her home and slipped it into her helmet. She pointed out other sunflowers and poppies too along the rest of the ride.
Hope can be found in unexpected places. And the first steps toward healing can occur when supported by community.
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Disclaimer: The content shared in our blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal, medical, or financial advice. Please consult with a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.
