mate I am sorry to say this but
1, you were there your mate could have left , you could have stayed
2, no need to drive up and risk anything , see point 1
3, carless wasnt a problem, there were 4 others in the same boat
4, age, not an issue
5, the cold, mmmmmmmmmm the rest managed
6, you might have had to walk home
but more likely than not you ould have been offered a lift by someone
So you missed out on a MASSIVE meet, all in a good cause, cos of YOU and only you.
Harsh maybe, but a lot of people made a huge effort and as you posted elsewhere you just were too lazy