Bustang to Granby With a Bike — Ride Home to Denver, Ride There for the Day, or Ride to the Next Stop
▼ 2,735 ft net descent to Denver Union Station
Granby is the far end of a genuinely big day — over Rollins or around by Berthoud — and the most natural two-day ride on the list, with Winter Park or Empire as the overnight.
🚲 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 the bay with the front wheel off; gravel bikes usually fit underneath as-is, wheels on.
- 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.
This is a 103-mile point-to-point heading southeast on pavement, with about 8,716 ft of climbing across the day. Most of the ride runs on busier roads with significant traffic exposure, so stay sharp. You're looking at a serious day in the saddle or a mellow two-day tour if you split it.
Gravel BikeGravel
Dirt where dirt is good, pavement where it isn't.
You're looking at about 84 miles of mixed paved and trail riding heading southeast, with nearly 9,200 ft of climbing spread across the day. This is a one-way point-to-point, so you'll need a shuttle or staged vehicle at the finish. Expect some road noise on connecting stretches, but most of your time will be on dirt.
Mountain BikeMTB
Singletrack allowed — the trail gate opens for mountain bikes only.
You've got a point-to-point heading southeast with about 84 miles of mixed pavement and trail, roughly 9,186 ft of climbing that'll keep you honest the whole way. A good chunk of this is singletrack and doubletrack, so bring a mountain or gravel bike that can handle rooty, technical sections alongside the graded stuff. Plan on something north of six hours in the saddle and watch for brief stretches of traffic as you thread through connecting roads.
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.
You're heading out on a mixed pavement and trail route with about 433 ft of climbing spread across the 11.7 miles. It's a moderate traffic ride, so expect some company on the roads, but you'll get relief when you hit the dirt sections. Out and back keeps it simple: ride out, turn around, and retrace your way home.
Half day
The best half-day ride from the stop.
Head east on quiet dirt trail for 24 miles with about 2,477 ft of climbing spread across the ride. You'll spend nearly all your time on singletrack and doubletrack, with just a touch of pavement to connect, and you'll return the same way you came.
Gravel rideGravel
Dirt roads out of town.
You're heading out on a mixed loop that's two-thirds gravel and one-third pavement, with about 2,258 ft of climbing packed in across 25 miles. Expect a short stretch on busier roads to connect sections, but most of the route sits on quieter terrain. It's a solid day in the saddle with real elevation, so pace yourself through the gravel.