Bike Home From Gunnison, CO — Ride There for the Day, or Ride to Another Bus Stop
▼ 2,503 ft net descent to Denver Union Station
Hartman Rocks starts riding distance from the stop — a full day of desert singletrack at 7,700 feet — and the valley gravel toward Ohio Creek goes as long as you want. Home to Denver is a proper multi-day tour over Monarch; most riders bus both ways.
🚲 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.
A one-way point-to-point northeast on all pavement, about 231 miles and 14,965 ft of climbing spread across two hard days or four at a relaxed pace. Nearly half the roads see regular traffic, so plan your timing and stay visible. This is serious distance with real elevation, bring support and know your fuel strategy.
Gravel bikegravel
Dirt where dirt is good, pavement where it isn't.
This one is a serious point-to-point bikepack northeast across 217 miles of mostly gravel with about 26,086 ft of climbing, all but a third of it on quiet roads. You're looking at roughly 19 hours in the saddle spread across two punishing days or four relaxed ones, depending on how hard you want to push. Bring a lot of water and plan your resupply carefully, because the traffic won't bother you but the distance and elevation definitely will.
Mountain bikemtb
Singletrack allowed — the trail gate opens for mountain bikes only.
You're looking at a serious point-to-point bikepack heading northeast: 217 miles with 26,119 ft of climbing, mostly on gravel with about a third paved. This is a two-day hammer or four days at a steadier clip on quiet roads, and the elevation is real across the whole route, so pace accordingly. Bring what you need to camp or bail to a town, because you're committing to a one-way push into new country.
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 southwest on quiet pavement for a short, easy spin with about 286 ft of climbing spread across the ride. You'll spend most of the time on smooth roads with barely any traffic, making this a straightforward out-and-back that's perfect for a quick morning or evening loop.
Half day
The best half-day ride from the stop.
You're heading out east on quiet trail, mostly singletrack with some rough doubletrack mixed in, tackling about 6,034 ft of climbing over 35 miles. This one's a big day, so pace yourself early and expect to be out there for a solid four hours plus.
Gravel ridegravel
Dirt roads out of town.
You're heading south on a loop that's mostly trail with some paved sections mixed in, climbing about 3,497 ft over 33 miles on quiet roads. This one's a real workout, with the elevation spread across the ride, so pace yourself and plan for nearly three hours in the saddle. All told, you'll see almost no traffic and get a solid day in the dirt.