Bustang to Grand Junction With a Bike — Ride Home to Denver, Ride There for the Day, or Ride to the Next Stop
The far end of the West Line, and the one stop that sits LOWER than Denver — no descent to trade on, so ride this one the other way: bus out with the bike, tour the Grand Valley's fruit-and-wine roads and the Riverfront Trail, and let the bus do the 250 miles back.
🚲 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 serious point-to-point push east on pavement: 335 miles and about 21,900 ft of climbing over three hard days or five at a steady pace. You'll be sharing the road for most of it, so plan your pace and rest stops around traffic windows. All paved, no gravel, so a road or gravel bike will work, but expect to be on busier highways more than backroads.
Gravel BikeGravel
Dirt where dirt is good, pavement where it isn't.
This is a serious point-to-point bikepack heading east on roughly equal parts trail and gravel road, about 309 miles and 28,561 ft of climbing over three brutal days or six easier ones. You're looking at a real expedition: commit to the pacing before you go, because the climbing is substantial and spread across the whole distance. Mostly quiet riding, with brief stretches on busier roads to connect.
Mountain BikeMTB
Singletrack allowed — the trail gate opens for mountain bikes only.
This is a serious point-to-point bikepack heading east, split roughly half paved and half singletrack and dirt trail. You're looking at about 311 miles and nearly 28,800 ft of climbing across three hard days or six at a more comfortable pace. Expect to manage some road traffic, but most of the miles sit on quieter terrain.
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.
Head northeast on mostly paved roads for a mellow loop with just under 350 ft of climbing spread across the ride. You'll see a brief gravel section mid-route, then roll back home on quiet streets with minimal traffic exposure.
Half day
The best half-day ride from the stop.
You're looking at 70.5 miles and about 9,188 ft of climbing on a trail and gravel mix heading south, with almost no traffic to manage. Most of the ride sits on dirt, and you'll spend a full day out here, so plan water and fuel accordingly. Head out to your turnaround and come back the way you came.
Gravel rideGravel
Dirt roads out of town.
Head southwest on quiet roads, mostly pavement with a few miles of gravel mixed in, picking up about 718 ft of climbing spread across the loop. You'll stay off traffic almost entirely, making this a mellow way to rack up some miles and elevation without the highway hassle.