Yup. The last 60 miles or so of the DD really are tough without allegiances and teamwork. We fell in with a great group at about 65 miles out last year, which was very lucky. Our speed didn't drop below 22 - 23 mph the last 40 miles . (Dead flat, mind you.) I took equal pulls til 3 miles from the end when my hamstring seized up and I had to pedal one legged the rest of the way. (The group let me sit on at that point... )

The first flat bit is also good to get in with a group - though it is hard for me not to be tempted to go out too fast, so I have to watch that.

But that last bit - if the wind is bad, you will want friends. My experience has been that most of the folks who do doubles are pretty solid in pacelines. They're not skittery racer types who don't hold a line (generally). They're usually older and crustier (in a good way).

Hoping for cooler weather....