12\12\15 - DIY 200km Audax

I'd never done a DIY Audax before, just calendar events.  So I sent in an application showing my proposed route and got the OK with the proviso that I "controlled" at every place mentioned.  I think that this was my first mistake.  Next time I'll put fewer place names.  From Hertford to Chesham, then Wendover.  After a few hours of cycling into the wind it was a blessed relief to freewheel the last few miles at over 20mph.  From Wendover to Dunstable wasn't that tough but this changed as I turned south for the short climb up to the Chiltern Visitor Centre.  Markyate was my 100km point and soon after met up with Alex who was on an afternoon pootle.  We rode together to Ardeley Farm where his natural disinclination to stop meant that he went home whilst I ate in an empty cafe.  By now it was 16:00, and dark.  Therefore despite the tailwind, the journey slowed until Gt Chishill from whence it almost slowed to a stop as I turned to do the last 25 miles back to Hertford.  By now the wind was firing on all cylinders and those 25 miles took me nearly three hours. I thought I was pushing the time limit, but if I'd have read my instructions properly I would have known that I'd got over two and a half hours remaining over my journey time of just under twelve hours.  Live & learn!  As with all first-timers I can't presume that I've complied with the Audax rules & regs but all has been sent off for validation.  If it passes then I've achieved Randonee Round the Year status (RRtY), a 200km ride in each of twelve successive months.  If it doesn't, then I'll probably cry!  PW.