If that is the correct interpretation he probably has about zero chance of making it there under his own power and on time.

The pace was too slow to start with. He could pick it up as he gets some mileage under his belt, but he has been riding with a chase vehicle and is now self supported. He apparently was not camping up to now and will be now. He will have no one to assist and will have to do everything for himself.

Then there is the car thing... Once you take a car ride for part of the trip, why not another, and another. It is kind of a slippery slope. One of three things will happen, he will quit, he will wind up taking a lot of rides or a few long ones, or he will change and start doing a lot more mileage very soon. I am hoping for the latter, but and starting to think it is pretty unlikely.