Rohloff’s are wonderful to ride. I build my own wheels, and use Velocity rims on both bikes. My city bike has 36 spokes laced to Cliffhangers, and my touring bike has 32 spokes laced to Dually’s. The Dually’s have an internal width of 39, and make my tubeless Vittoria Mezcals (2.35) ride like 2.5” tires. The comfort is exceptional. Thanks for commenting!

Hi Marc
I also have two Rohloffs, one on a tandem and one on my Thorn Mercury. Great bits of kit.
Congratulations on your ride with the gravel and those big passes!

Mike

Thanks so much. We both agree that towns and services (including showers) are good to have, especially at our ages (65 & 68). We don’t mind pitching tents at all. If a rider could travel and stay each night at a park as nice as Red Mountain RV Park (Kremmling), it would make bike travel really nice. Either Route is OK with me. Thanks again for your comments.

Looks like you have unanimous agreement on where to ride next! I’m impressed with the ride you did - it didn’t look like easy riding at all. Nice pictures, too!

I seldom pay any attention to advertisements, so I can’t recall any camel milk signs. I was more disappointed with the slum/ trashy looking places each sitting on an acre or so of land. No building codes, no attempt at keeping their places looking nice.
Downtown Sagauche looked really nice. I was impressed.
Thanks for the info on the other things. I’ll let you do the naked thing, and the beaming up. I’ll stick with pushing my bike down the road!

Thanks for the comments. I have two Rohloff’s, with no plans to change. I would like to upgrade the frame, but really have no reason to. Paul rides the Priority, and seems to like it.
I had the Elk burger on gluten free for lunch, and it was exceptional. I meant to take a photo of the front of the store, but Paul was always in a hurry that day. I believe it said State Highway Department in green on the building front.

Saguache is one of my favorite little Colorado towns. We stay at the Valley Motel with Lorainne and eat next door at the cafe. They've gotten money to revitalize the town - now the downtown area is all spruced up.

Were there still signs all over advertising camel milk products as you rode into town from Villa Grove?

Two local tidbits - you missed Valley View Hot Springs (a nudist hot springs). Also, Crestone is a new age enlightenment center. They boast the 'most alien abductions per capita' of anywhere in the USA. As a matter of fact, down the road is a UFO watch tower that you can pay to spend the night on, in hopes of being beamed up!

I like the San Luis Valley - except for the wind - you met the wind . . .

Thank you for mentioning restaurants and lodging by name. We will be in Buena Vista next week - we will be sure to try the Simple Eatery!

We've stayed at The Lodge before and also eaten at the little burger place next door. It's fun reading about someone else's experience in the same area.

BTW, my husband just bought a Priority 600. It's at the shop as we speak, being assembled and having road bars installed. He has great hopes for the bike. His other bike has a Rohloff, but he wanted to give the Pinion a try. Both are belt drives.