Bustang to Steamboat Springs With a Bike — Ride Home to Denver, Ride There for the Day, or Ride to the Next Stop
▼ 1,532 ft net descent to Denver Union Station
Bus up, ride the Yampa Valley: the core trail through town, Emerald Mountain from the river, and gravel in every direction. The ride home over Rabbit Ears and Muddy Pass is a committed multi-day — most riders make this one a destination, not a descent.
🚲 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: 211 miles of paved road heading southeast, with about 16,458 ft of climbing across roughly 14 hours of riding. That's a two-day effort for most riders, or three if you're taking your time, and you'll spend more than half the ride on busier roads, so plan fuel stops and know your exit strategy before dark.
Gravel BikeGravel
Dirt where dirt is good, pavement where it isn't.
This is a serious point-to-point bikepack heading southeast on mostly trail, about 191 miles with 20,701 ft of climbing spread across roughly 17 hours of riding. You're looking at a 2-day sufferfest or a mellow 4-day expedition depending on your pace, and the trail surface means you'll want a capable bike and solid bike-packing setup. Nearly all quiet roads, so just focus on fueling and pacing the climbing.
Mountain BikeMTB
Singletrack allowed — the trail gate opens for mountain bikes only.
This is a serious point-to-point bikepack heading southeast, mostly on singletrack and doubletrack trail with some paved connectors. You're looking at about 185 miles and 20,603 ft of climbing over two hard days or four mellow ones, all on quiet roads and dirt. Bring your full kit and plan your water and camp spots carefully.
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.
You're heading southwest on singletrack and dirt for 21 miles with about 3,755 ft of climbing, all on quiet roads with zero traffic. The ride is an out-and-back, so you'll turn around and retrace your way home. Bring a gravel bike and legs ready for serious elevation gain.
Gravel rideGravel
Dirt roads out of town.
You're heading north on quiet roads and trail for about 26 miles, with roughly 3,551 ft of climbing that'll keep you honest the whole way through. The ride mixes pavement and singletrack, so bring a bike that handles both. Out and back the same way, no traffic to speak of.