Alfred University ‘Reunion Bikers’ update plans for their 2023 ride
The Alfred University “reunion bikers” are a group of alumni who spend the week preceding Reunion Weekend bicycling to Alfred. Join us in a 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.
The group 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.
This year’s group includes veteran bikers Russ Fahey ’58, Elliott Lasky ’58, Dave ‘58 and Tinker Wilcox ’57 (65th reunion for the 58’ers), Dave ’61 and Kate Perry, Larry ’68 and Denise ’69 Ploetz, Mary Bouchard ’73 (50th reunion, a soon-to-be Golden Saxon) , Roberta Auerbach ’74, Steve Crandall ’77, David ’77 and Regina Holleb, Jim Randall ’77, Terry Kiff ’84, and Brian Bortz ’93 who is returning for his 30th reunion.
Special recognition goes out to Brian. He will be biking solo from his home in Ohio without any support and hook up with the rest of the group along the way. It kind of reminds us of Geoff Lowe ’73 who has biked in by himself from Ohio on a couple of earlier rides. Wouldn’t it be interesting if these two “ghosts” could find a way to bike in together?
The group has again chosen Geneva, NY as their peddle off point. 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 NY. 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 NYS 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 Penn Yan and spend three nights there before moving on to Mt. Morris, NY for two nights (June 6 and 7). Bike routes include a 37-mile loop around Geneva, Phelps, and Gorham, a 45-mile loop around Keuka Lake, two loops around Conesus Lake (38 miles), and the perennial out and back ride along the Park Road in Letchworth State Park. A whitewater rafting trip along the Genesee River is also back on the agenda for Thursday morning. Recommended hotels include the Hampton Inn in Penn Yan and the Country Inn and Suites in Mt. Morris. 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.
We welcome students, alumni 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. Stay tuned for updates every few weeks. Please email Jim Randall ’77 at [email protected] for additional information.