Bike Home From Kremmling, CO — Ride There for the Day, or Ride to Another Bus Stop
▼ 2,113 ft net descent to Denver Union Station
Middle Park ranch country: quiet highway shoulders, the Trough Road toward the Colorado River put-ins, and a two-day home by way of Granby and Berthoud Pass with Winter Park 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 one-way point-to-point heading east on paved roads, 138 miles with about 11,870 ft of climbing over nine and a half hours, so plan on a long push or split it across two days at an easier tempo. You'll spend more than half your time on busier roads, so be ready for traffic through town and highway stretches. All pavement, all day.
Gravel bikegravel
Dirt where dirt is good, pavement where it isn't.
This is a substantial point-to-point ride heading east on a mix of paved and trail, about 111 miles with roughly 11,627 ft of climbing spread across the day. You're looking at nearly ten hours in the saddle if you push steady, or a comfortable two-day adventure at a relaxed tempo. Quiet roads throughout, though you'll want to pick your days given the mileage and the sustained elevation work.
Mountain bikemtb
Singletrack allowed — the trail gate opens for mountain bikes only.
This is a serious point-to-point slog heading east: 111 miles mixing pavement and trail with about 11,620 ft of climbing stacked unevenly across the day. You're looking at nearly ten hours in the saddle if you push it, or a more reasonable two-day bikepacking trip if you're in no rush. Mostly quiet roads and dirt, but bring a gravel bike or hardtail that can handle technical sections.
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 south on a loop mixing paved and gravel, about two-thirds dirt with some road sections to connect. You'll climb roughly 384 ft spread across the ride, and a short stretch on main roads brings some traffic, but most of it stays quieter. Solid hour-long loop for gravel tires.
Half day
The best half-day ride from the stop.
Head out on quiet roads split roughly even between pavement and well-graded gravel, climbing about 2,667 ft over 33 miles before turning around and retracing your line home. The climbing stacks up across the ride, so pace accordingly on the back half.
Gravel ridegravel
Dirt roads out of town.
You're heading out on quiet dirt and singletrack, about 28 miles round trip with 2,845 ft of climbing stacked throughout the ride. Expect most of your time on trail, with just a short paved connector, and plan for a solid four and a half hours in the saddle.