Bike Home From Winter Park, CO — Or Ride There for the Day
▼ 3,910 ft net descent to Denver Union Station
One stop up-valley from Fraser and 500 feet higher, at the foot of the Trestle bike park. Ride home over Rollins, or spend the day on the mountain and take the bus back down.
🚲 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 with the front wheel off; gravel bikes sometimes fit the rack as-is.
- 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 solid 83-mile point-to-point push north on pavement with about 7,419 ft of climbing, so expect real work and a fair bit of traffic on the main roads that connect the route. Pace yourself for the elevation: there's no coasting day here, and you'll need a plan for the finish since you're riding one-way.
Gravel bikegravel
Dirt where dirt is good, pavement where it isn't.
A one-way point-to-point heading north on a mix of paved and gravel, with about 7,216 ft of climbing packed into 62.5 miles. You're looking at a serious day: nearly 42 percent gravel and enough elevation that pacing matters from the start. A short stretch of road traffic to connect, but mostly quieter riding.
Mountain bikemtb
Singletrack allowed — the trail gate opens for mountain bikes only.
You're heading north on a one-way point-to-point that splits nearly even between paved and gravel, so expect to shift your pace between surfaces as you go. About 7,199 ft of climbing is packed into 62 miles, which means steady work throughout, not a single defining push. A bit of traffic on connectors, but mostly quiet roads getting you there.
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 northwest on quiet roads, mostly paved with about 18% gravel mixed in, for a 14-mile out-and-back that climbs steadily through the first half. You're looking at roughly 723 ft of elevation gain before you turn around and enjoy the descent home.
Half day
The best half-day ride from the stop.
You're heading north on a loop that's mostly gravel with quiet roads throughout. Expect about 2,671 ft of climbing spread across the 32 miles, and plan for nearly three hours in the saddle. Nearly all of it stays off traffic.
Gravel ridegravel
Dirt roads out of town.
Head northwest on quiet roads for a gravel-heavy loop that's mostly dirt, with about 1,784 ft of climbing packed into 21.5 miles. You'll spend most of your time on the gravel, then come back on pavement, so pace the early climbing smartly. No traffic to speak of out here.