6/20- Poughkeepsie to Port Jervis

"Chuck Norris tears cure cancer. It’s too bad, because Chuck Norris doesn’t cry"

Today we rode from Poughkeepsie to Port Jervis. Except for a few wrong turns due to faulty cue sheets, we spent a rather uneventful day biking the 57 miles to Port Jervis. Whil e there was a good chance of rain, and overcast skies, the weather held out and was probably one of the hottest days weve had so far. I spent today biking with as many groups as possible again, trying to be social. I would spend time in the back, talk, then try to catch up to the next group up the road. This became increasingly difficult as i made my way to the front, as the faster cyclists were obviously at the front, making the time differences between each group getting progressively larger.

random stuff-

Yesterday we spent the day at our second build day, where we moved bricks almost all day. I spent a considerable amount of time at night fixing bikes, which has apparently become another unoffocial role on the trip. I'm really happy that people are willing to trust me with their bikes, and my own repair skills have vastly improved, but some nights I'm really exhausted and just want to sleep.

I was elected chore captain of our group, which was a nice honor to get from my peers.

The beard off contest has become increasingly annoying, as I'm feeling quite scruffy and have to fight the urge to shave several times a day. I want to last to at least State College, and maybe even to Pittsburgh. I feel like I look like Curious George as my facial hair is as long as my hair at this point.

I developed a sty in my eye during the last couple weeks at studio, and it still has not left, even with repeated hot towels being applied to it. I think it wants to come along for the ride to Santa Barbara, so I've named it Stan the Sty.

I don't know what I weighed before the trip, but I weighed in at 182 today, so if anything I've GAINED weight on this trip so far. Since I don't think I've over eaten at all, I hope this is regaining muscle mass back after a long layoff.

Tomorrow's ride to Mt Pocono features two state line sprints (NJ and PA), and a massive climb at the end...since I will be riding sweep the day after, I'm looking to take tomorrow hard.