Bike Home From Pine Junction, CO — Ride There for the Day, or Ride to Another Bus Stop
▼ 3,270 ft net descent to Denver Union Station
The south-side Empire: a short bus hop buys you 3,200 feet of descent home through the 285 foothills, with the Buffalo Creek trail system a detour away for riders who'd rather earn some dirt before the drop.
🚲 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 point-to-point northeast on all pavement, climbing about 1,613 ft across the 45 miles, with a stretch of moderate traffic woven in. You'll find the elevation spread fairly evenly, so pace yourself early rather than banking on an easy back half. Drop a car at the end, or plan your return.
Routes at the stop
Riding there rather than home? Start and finish at the bus.
Half day
The best half-day ride from the stop.
Heading southwest on quiet roads and trail, you're looking at nearly 3,742 ft of climbing packed into 28.8 miles, so pace yourself early. The mix is about two-thirds pavement and a third trail, and with that elevation stacked steep, you'll earn the return journey back.
Gravel ridegravel
Dirt roads out of town.
Head northwest on quiet pavement and dirt trail, rolling through 21.7 miles with about 3,992 ft of climbing before you turn around and retrace your way back. The climbing is substantial here, so pace accordingly for the return leg.