My Matilda

How quickly the time had passed from when we set out northward just 2 weeks ago, and now finding ourselves, as if in an instant, back at the doorstep of our origin. With just a nominal 35km to ride, it felt like we had all the time in the world to soak in the atmosphere of our home shire, as we passed through the last series of villages on our way back to the Atlantic coast and our starting point in Peniche.

Very soon after leaving Caldas, we would arrive at the famous medieval town of Óbidos, where I had actually lived for a while back in 2015. Despite the countless times that I’ve been here, it never fails to touch my heart. So much history, so many challenges, so many emotions, and each time that I’ve returned, it feels that I am, somehow, just that little bit more complete. Óbidos is also where the Life on the Run concept had arrived into my consciousness; and from which so many camino adventures, both walking and cycling, have been spawned. How blissfully nostalgic it felt to pass by the coworking space ‘Espaço Ó’, the incubator, and clarifier, of so many of the perspectives that would shape my direction and actions until this present day.

Before long, we’d reach the European surf mecca that is Baleal. With so much time in hand, we decided to roll over to Baleal island, via the connecting land bridge, to chill  and do some people watching from a beach side café … while enjoying a Sagres of course! What a spot it was for Matilda and I to spend our final moments reminiscing together before the remaining short spin to our finish line at the Largo coworking space, which is managed by Mr. Pepe, my friend and ghostrider, who was also the manager of that coworking space in Óbidos. Round and around we go!

Matilda and I.
As strangers we departed,
as friends, we arrived.

‘My Matilda’ by Jyri Manninen

Upon arriving at Largo, all seemed quiet, so we just plonked ourselves down at the adjacent, and very aptly named, Café Ponto Final, to already commence the physical recovery process, by enjoying yet some more elixir of the Gods, as we waited for Pepe to manifest himself. After four tours around Portugal, which, themselves, were the sequels to our original epic ride from Finland back in 2017, this was to be my final ride with Matilda, before her retirement. However, the story has only just begun, and I look forward to sharing this mission of unfolding awareness, which my brother-in-arms, Sir Aragorn, and I have anointed as the Road to Righteousville.

Be blessed,
Jyri