I Took a Bike Trail Toward NYC and Found a 1700s Town | Rolling Thru PBS

What happens when old infrastructure gets a second life? In Episode 9 of Rolling Thru, Pat Kelly rides south from New Paltz, exploring how reclaimed spaces—from rail trails to farms to small businesses—are shaping a more sustainable future. Riding through history A stop at Historic Huguenot Street reveals one of the oldest colonial neighborhoods in the country. It’s a place that raises questions about how we preserve history—and how we carry it forward. A bridge built again for people At the Walkway Over the Hudson, a former rail bridge has been transformed into a public space for walking and cycling. What once carried freight now carries people, offering a powerful example of reuse at scale. Rethinking how we consume At Canvas and Clothier, sustainable fashion challenges the cycle of overproduction. By focusing on local sourcing and intentional design, the shop offers an alternative to fast fashion. Trails that connect it all With Parks and Trails New York, we explore how former rail corridors have become greenways—supporting car-free travel, local economies, and access to nature. Food as connection At Tilly Foster Farm, sustainable agriculture and education programs bring people closer to the land, showing how food systems can support both community and climate. Riding toward what’s next As the trail continues south, the ride becomes a reflection on how reuse—of land, infrastructure, and ideas—can shape the future. This episode continues a bicycle journey across New York State exploring how reclaimed spaces can become pathways to more sustainable living. New episodes of Rolling Thru premiere weekly. Subscribe for more cycling travel stories, hidden history, and climate-focused adventure across New York State. Content and video supported by funding from New York State’s Environmental Protection Fund in partnership with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Support provided by Brewery Ommegang. Additional support provided by Best Western and Ocean & San. Locations in this episode New Paltz, NY Historic Huguenot Street Walkway Over the Hudson Hudson Valley Rail Trail Whaley Lake Tilly Foster Farm Brewster, NY