Alfred University ‘Reunion Bikers’ announce plans for 2023 ride
The Alfred University “reunion bikers,” a group of alumni who spend the week preceding Reunion Weekend bicycling to Alfred, have announced initial plans for their return trip to campus in 2023.
Join in this tradition that was started by a handful of adventurers from the class of 1958 who decided to bicycle from the Philadelphia area to Alfred University for their 40th reunion in 1998. They did it again for their 45th and 50th reunions choosing different routes in most years. By 2010 the ride had become a tradition (and was opened up to other classes) and has continued each year since (except 2020, when the reunion was canceled due to COVID-19). Believe it or not some of the 58’ers, as they have become known, still participate in parts of the ride.
So far, a small handful of veteran bikers and a couple of rookies who have expressed interest in this year’s ride. Stay tuned for details in upcoming E-news of who will be participating.
The group has again chosen Geneva, NY, as their peddle off point for the 2023 ride. Geneva is in the heart of the Finger Lakes at the north end of Seneca Lake. The area was long occupied by the Seneca Indians, part of the Iroquois Federation of Central New York. Geneva is now known for its tourist industry, particularly wine making and tours. The city also identifies as the “Lake Trout Capital of the World.” It is the home of Hobart and William Smith Colleges (a frequent opponent of Alfred University on the athletic field), and New York States Agricultural Experiment Station of Cornell University. Famous sights include the Belhurst Castle and the historic row houses on the college campus overlooking Seneca Lake.
The bikers will be traveling Saturday, June 3, to Geneva and spend three nights there before moving on to Mt. Morris, NY, for two nights (June 6 and 7). Bike routes are still being planned but will focus on country roads around the Finger Lakes area. Area hotels are being considered. While in Mt. Morris the cyclists will tackle the challenging Park Road in Letchworth State Park. The reunion bikers move on to the Best Western Maple City Inn, in Hornell, NY, Thursday night, June 8. On Friday morning, June 9 the group will celebrate with their “Victory Ride” into Alfred with an anticipated arrival at the King Alfred Statue at high noon.
Organizers welcome students, alumni and friends to join as they ride through your local area, or for part or all of our trip. We also enjoy having lunch or dinner with friends of the University throughout our travels. Anyone interested in taking part in Friday’s “Victory Ride” that needs accommodations in Hornell is encouraged to make reservations early as the area hotels quickly fill up. Stay tuned for updates every few weeks. Please email Jim Randall ’77 at JamesRandallJr@msn.com for additional information.