Yeah, it's easy if it's just two people in the SUV.

You might consider adding a folding bike to the fleet, delbiker1. They don't take up nearly as much room in the back as a regular bike. Pack it in a big Rubbermaid tote and it'll even stay standing.

Here's a recent tour I did on my folding bike. It's capable in terms of comfort and luggage, but slower. I think I averaged only around 11 mph, where it would have been 13-14 on a gravel bike. I didn't mind the slower pace, as I wanted to be heads-up, taking things in. I did run out of daylight, as it was late in the season in northern Wisconsin. I have good lights on the bike though.