Show Notes - Week of June 7, 2021

Greetings from 53.5° once again. This was a quiet week from an accomplishment point of view, but there was still progress was made in some areas. Two books are nearly done, one fiction and one non-fiction, but neither was completed this week. There were two new beers this week, and there were two cycling segments completed, the first completing the sixth leg of the cross-Canada virtual tour. It will be a short update, so let's dive in.

Cycling Update:
There was some good distance put in the saddle this week, and I was able to blow past Saskatoon and make it about a third of the way to Regina. Let's close off the sixth leg from Lloydminster to Saskatoon first. 

I have always liked Saskatoon, but I bet I have not been there for twenty years. It reminds me a lot of Edmonton, with the river central to both cities including the fact that both cities were amalgamations of towns separated by that river. Plus, both cities are blessed by wonderful old hotels, with the Hotel MacDonald in Edmonton and Bessborough in Saskatoon. 

Hotel Macdonald (Edmonton) Left, Bessborough Hotel (Saskatoon) Right

Continuing with my pattern of listing fun facts about each stop based on the Wikipedia page for the location, Saskatoon is estimated to have a population of over 335,000 making it the largest city in Saskatchewan. Saskatoon is served by an international airport (IATA code YXE) named after Canada's thirteenth Prime Minister, John Diefenbaker. 

​Once I passed Saskatoon, I started on Leg #7 of the cross-Canada virtual cycling tour and headed toward Regina in a somewhat circuitous route. There is a direct route to Regina, but I thought I would virtually head to Moose Jaw because I have never actually been there. The first segment on the way to Regina was to Davidson. Davidson clocks in at just over 1000 people, but it has its own Wikipedia page, and, fun fact, Davidson claims to be the home of the world's largest coffee pot. Much like I reported about Rosetown a couple weeks ago, Davidson has an airport that does not rate an IATA code, but it has a Transport Canada Location ID of CJC3.

Here is a look at the updated progress chart with Leg #6 completed. 

New Beers:
The first beer this week was from a favorite Alberta brewery, Troubled Monk. Coming in as Beer #770, their Juicy Gossip New England IPA really grew on me. I am growing a bit tired of "juicy" beers, however, this one had enough body to taste like a beer and not just spiked juice. (3.75 / 5)

The second beer was enjoyed 40 km into a windy and hot ride, so it was super awesome! I am confident though that it will hold up to scrutiny in less parched conditions. Beer #771 was the Nebali Hazy Pale Ale from Longroof Brewing. When we stopped in today, with masks on, the owners said they incorporated in 2019 but just opened their location seven weeks ago. I will definitely be back as the location is bike and dog friendly (don't really care about the dogs, TBH, but you know it does imply an easy-to-like vibe). I also like how that little wasteland area of tier three light industrial buildings is getting a real shot of inspiration from Longroof and their neighbors.