Bike Home From Fraser, CO — Or Ride There for the Day
▼ 3,374 ft net descent to Denver Union Station
The Fraser valley is the classic version of this trip: bus up US 40, then ride home over Rollins Pass on the old Moffat Road railroad grade and down into Boulder County. Dirt, history, and about 3,300 feet of net drop.
🚲 2 rack spaces guaranteed — more usually fit underneath
Bustang's published limit is two bikes on the rack, first-come first-served, with no reservations. In practice the under-bus luggage bay takes more: riders regularly get three or four bikes on a mountain run. Mountain bikes go in with the front wheel off; gravel bikes sometimes fit the rack as-is.
- Take an early departure — the bay fills with luggage later in the day.
- Pull your front wheel before you get to the curb, especially on a mountain bike.
- A group of four should plan to split across two departures if the bay is full.
- Nothing comes inside the cabin, and nobody is responsible for damage. Pack accordingly.
Rack rules:
Bustang FAQ. Real-world capacity from riders who have done it — treat the bay as likely, not guaranteed.
The ride back to Union Station
Same start, same finish, three different bikes — the route changes with what you are riding, not just the surface mix. All three finish at Denver Union Station; plan it to your own address if you live somewhere else.
Road bikeroad
Pavement the whole way, on the quietest roads that still go where you're going.
You're looking at nearly 90 miles heading north on paved roads with about 7,944 ft of climbing spread across the day, and fair warning: most of this ride sits on busier pavement. This is a point-to-point finish, so plan your exit before you roll out.
Gravel bikegravel
Dirt where dirt is good, pavement where it isn't.
You're heading north on a one-way point-to-point that splits nearly even between pavement and gravel, with about 7,804 ft of climbing spread across the 67.5 miles. The road mix keeps things interesting, and traffic stays light through most of it, so you can focus on the steady elevation rather than watching for cars. Plan for a solid day in the saddle.
Mountain bikemtb
Singletrack allowed — the trail gate opens for mountain bikes only.
You're looking at a 67-mile point-to-point heading north on a gravel-heavy mix: about 42 percent dirt, the rest pavement, all woven together across some real terrain. Expect roughly 7,786 feet of climbing spread across the full distance, which means you'll earn your miles steadily but not in one punishing section. Traffic stays light through most of it, so you can focus on the surface changes and the work ahead.
Routes at the stop
Riding there rather than home? Start and finish at the bus.
Short spin
An hour to shake out the bus legs.
Mostly gravel loop heading southwest with about 1,358 ft of climbing packed into 16 miles, all on quiet roads with barely any traffic. You'll spend three quarters of the ride on dirt, so come ready for mixed conditions and be prepared for the elevation gain.
Half day
The best half-day ride from the stop.
You've got a northwest loop on almost entirely gravel, about 2,068 ft of climbing spread across the 26 miles on quiet roads with barely any traffic. Expect a proper workout with nearly 3 hours of riding, but the payoff is being out in the backcountry away from cars.
Gravel ridegravel
Dirt roads out of town.
Head west on a gravel loop that's mostly dirt, about 29 miles with 3,229 ft of climbing stacked across the ride. Quiet roads throughout, and you'll spend nearly 90 percent of your time on gravel, so bring the right tires for mixed conditions.