In recognition of America250, our nation’s 250th birthday, the Alfred University Reunion Bikers have chosen the historic Saratoga Springs, NY, as their pedal off point for this year’s journey back to campus. The area offers a unique variety of historical, cultural, and recreational opportunities. The city’s official slogan is “Health, History, and Horses.”
Several of the “Reunion Bikers,” who pedal each year to Alfred University, with their journey ending on campus for the first day of alumni Reunion, are shown here during their 2025 ride to Alfred from Cooperstown, NY.
Early Participants include Brian Bortz ’93, Mary Bouchard ’73, David ’77 and Regina Holleb, Terry Kiff ’84, Dave ’61 and Kate Perry, Jim Randall ’77, and Harry Wilhelm ’74. All are veteran bikers having participated in one or many previous reunion rides.
Several famous movies including Seabiscuit, The Horse Whisperer, and Saratoga were filmed in and around Saratoga Springs and Saratoga Race Course. Seabiscuit is a 2003 American historical sports drama starring Tobey Maguire and Jeff Bridges. The movie is based on the life and racing career of an undersized and overlooked thoroughbred race horse during the Great Depression. The Horse Whisperer is a 1998 drama directed by and starring Robert Redford. The story is about a tragic horse accident and the slow recovery of both the rider and horse with the help of a “horse whisperer.” Saratoga (the movie) is a 1937 romantic comedy starring Jean Harlow and Clark Gable. It became the highest-grossing film of 1937. Jean Harlow was the leading sex symbol of the early 1030’s. Tragically, she died at the early age of 26 while filming this movie.
We will start gathering in Saratoga Springs the weekend before Reunion Weekend on Saturday, June 6. The first bike ride will take place on Sunday, June 7. We will bike three days in the Saratoga area before moving on to the finger lakes area with a final “Victory Ride” Friday morning, June 12 into Alfred from Hornell with an anticipated arrival at the King Alfred Statue at noon. Stay tuned for future announcements in E-news concerning the ride and who is participating.
We welcome alumni, faculty and staff, students, and friends to join us as we 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. Please email Jim Randall ’77 at [email protected] for additional information.
