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.
Union Pacific's Big Boy 4014, a restored steam locomotive built in 1941, will be in Letchworth State Park and Hornell, NY, on June 11, during the Alfred University “Reunion Bikers” ride to campus.
The area offers a unique variety of historical, cultural, and recreational opportunities. The city’s official slogan is “Health, History, and Horses.” A “Scouting Party” consisting of Birdy Auerbach ‘74, Terry Kiff ’84, and Jim Randall ’77 was formed and instructed by the Continental Army’s high command to rendezvous in Saratoga Springs with local patriots and map out a favorable passage for their approaching journey westward. Birdy suffered a non-life-threatening injury while in route to Saratoga Springs and had to return to regional headquarters in New Jersey. Terry and Jim met Brad Beal, Treasurer of Bikeatoga, and local resident, who took us on a beautiful 30-mile route that circumnavigated the city of Saratoga Springs.
Reunion Bikers will start gathering in Lake George and Saratoga Springs on Saturday, June 6, the weekend before Reunion Weekend (June 12-14). The first bike ride will take place on Sunday, June 7, when bicyclists take back country roads from Lake George to Fort Ann on the Hudson River. Fort Ann is named after Queen Anne of England who ruled from March 8, 1702, until her death August 1, 1714. From Fort Ann, the group will head south along the Champlain Canalway Trail (part of the Empire State Trail) to Hudson Falls and Glens Falls where they will pick up the Warren County Bikeway which will take them north back to Lake George.
On Monday, June 8, bicyclists will travel the Saratoga Battlefield loop from Saratoga Springs past Saratoga Race Course, around Saratoga Lake and out through the rolling hills to the battlefield site where they will encounter sweeping views of the Hudson River from high above in the hills. Tuesday’s journey will be a repeat of our early scouting party when the group circled the city of Saratoga Springs. Highlights will include famous thoroughbred racing farms, Skidmore College, Saratoga Performing Arts Center, views of the famous geyser springs, travels through Saratoga Spa State Park and along the Avenue of the Pines. After Tuesday’s ride they will drive to Penn Yan and stay at the Mansion on Keuka for two nights. On Wednesday, June 10, they will bike around Keuka Lake—a traditional favorite choice of the Reunion Bikers.
The Reunion Bikers recently discovered a unique, one-of-a-kind historical event will be taking place Thursday, June 11, and that it will cross paths (or tracks as the case may be) with the bike routes. Union Pacific's Big Boy 4014 is coming to Letchworth State Park and Hornell. Not familiar with "Big Boy"? He is the world's largest operating steam locomotive. The 1.2 million pound, 133-foot-long giant was restored to service in 2019. He was built in 1941 (in Schenectady, NY, near Saratoga Springs) to haul heavy freight over the Rocky Mountains. The locomotive operates as a traveling museum with a home base of Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is scheduled for a major tour starting late May 2026 when it travels to the Eastern US to celebrate America250. This will be the locomotive's first trip east of the Mississippi River since its 1941 delivery. Big Boy is scheduled to cross the Genesee River Arch Bridge at 12:20pm. The crossing will be viewable from the historic Glen Iris Inn where the group usually dines when in the area. The locomotive is also scheduled for a “whistle stop” in Hornell from 2 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Erie Depot Museum. Local officials expect record crowds in Hornell with some estimates at 10,000 people. The Reunion Bikers are still working on the details of how best to take in this historical event. They will most likely bike one or two orbits around Conesus Lake Thursday morning before heading to Hornell to see the big train.
The group’s final “Victory Ride” is on Friday morning, June 12, from Hornell into Alfred with an anticipated arrival at the King Alfred Statue at noon. Participants include Mary Bouchard ’73, David ’77 and Regina Holleb, Terry Kiff ’84, Dave ’61 and Kate Perry, Jim Randall ’77, Harry Wilhelm ’74, and Conor Walsh ‘01. All are veteran bikers having participated in one or many previous reunion rides.
The group welcomes alumni, faculty and staff, students, and friends to join us as they ride: through your local area, or for part or all of the trip. Bicyclists also enjoy having lunch or dinner with friends of the University throughout their 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.
