Bike Home From Granby, CO — Or Ride There for the Day
▼ 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 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.
A two-day, 103-mile point-to-point heading north on paved roads with about 8,861 ft of climbing across the route. Most of the traffic exposure (68%) means you'll spend significant time on busier roads, so plan your timing accordingly. All pavement, so it's a straightforward grind with elevation that will keep you honest both days.
Gravel bikegravel
Dirt where dirt is good, pavement where it isn't.
You're looking at a serious point-to-point northward push: nearly 84 miles with about 9,307 ft of climbing split between 57% pavement and 43% gravel, so you'll be switching surfaces throughout the day. Expect a fair bit of elevation work spread across the ride, some traffic on connecting stretches, and plan for a drop-off at the far end since you're not looping back.
Mountain bikemtb
Singletrack allowed — the trail gate opens for mountain bikes only.
You're looking at 84 miles and nearly 9,300 ft of climbing heading north on a gravel-heavy route, so pace yourself early. About 45 percent gravel mixed through the day, with climbing distributed throughout rather than stacked in one go, and a short section where you'll share pavement with traffic. This is a proper point-to-point push that rewards steady legs and a patient rhythm.
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.
Heading out on a mix of paved and gravel roads (about half and half), you've got roughly 433 ft of climbing spread across the route, with a fair bit of traffic on the way. It's an out-and-back that'll take you under an hour, so pick your turnaround point and head back the same way.
Half day
The best half-day ride from the stop.
You're heading east on almost all gravel for 24 miles, with about 2,503 ft of climbing spread across the ride on quiet roads with virtually no traffic. It's an out-and-back, so you'll turn around somewhere in the middle and retrace your line home, dealing with the same elevation on the way back.
Gravel ridegravel
Dirt roads out of town.
Nearly 28 miles of gravel looping southeast with about 2,826 ft of climbing packed in, so expect a serious effort on quiet roads. Most of the riding is dirt, with just a sliver of pavement to connect the dots. This is a proper gravel workout, not a cruise.