So was this a radonnee like ride? Congrats. Helene. Set your own standards, no matter what other people think, and always be safe.

Anyway, I know I wouldn't enjoy trying to ride at the speed requirement continuously and especially in driving rain with a pile of other cyclists.

We have done a number of touring rides which is different type of cycling but still..same weather conditions...with our loaded panniers where we cycled for 5-6 hrs. in continuous rain on highways and paths from town to town. And some of those rides were in Quebec....ah yes, one memorable ride with logging trucks beside us. (Yes, freakin' scary.) In all these wet touring ride days, no we did not have any support van. It's just touring trips we make up and no van support. I've only participated in less than 4 long-distance group rides where there was van support. (maybe 20% of all the multi-hr. long touring rides we've done in the past 2 decades)

Helene, there really are different types of cycling endurance and toughness. And you did one of them well.