New member and recently a new LR owner.
I just got back from Colorado.
When asked what I was doing, and then following up with "I'm going to do the Alpine Loop", they would point at my Defender and ask, "In THAT?!?"
I was doing the loop in a clockwise direction. A Tacoma driver was going in the opposite direction.
As I was nearing the end of the loop, I saw him again. He slowed down to let me know he was impressed that the Defender made it all the way around. I guess most see Land Rovers, and even Defenders, as grocery getters, not off road vehicles.

I've done a lot of back country mountain biking. This was my first overlanding experience. I'm hooked. And this is why I got a Defender.

Cinnamon Pass

Engineer Pass

Corkscrew Gulch

 

You should have told him that you were even more impressed that he would attempt it in a Toyota!