Author: Jyri Manninen | Kajura

I'm an intrepid nomad and professional coach, possessed with a keen curiosity to explore the world around me, and to keep discovering and learning new things. I help people to move forwards, by taking them sideways.

Aurajoki Bicycle Tour – part 2

Jyri Manninen | Kajura


After getting off the Föri Ferry at the end of part 1, I continued my Aurajoki bicycle tour by heading towards Turku’s main market square. As I approached the market square, I passed by the city’s centrally located Hansa Shopping Centre, as I rolled down the adjacent pedestrian mall.

After crossing over Aurjoki again, this time via the Kirjastosilta (Library Bridge), I climbed up the Vartiovuori hill to visit the old observatory. I did this as a large loop, which brought me back for a reverse crossing of the same pedestrian bridge. From there, it was just a short roll to the take in the majestic Turku Cathedral, which is arguably considered to be the number one landmark in Turku.

As I left the cathedral behind, I gradually worked my way uphill to the most central point of the University of Turku, the Feeniks (Fenix) Library, which is located at the very top of Yliopistonmäki (University Hill). After a brief moment to enjoy the quiteness there, I (carefully!) worked my way down to the river once again through the university precinct. Once at the riverside, there was only a further 2km to ride along the well established bicycle path that follows the Aurajoki all the way to my turning point at Halistenkoski dam, which would also mark the end of part 2 of my tour. At the Halistenkoski dam, the Aura River descends the final 7 metres to reach the level it is at the city centre, and it’s very popular with kayakers and fishermen; and is otherwise a rather nice and quiet spot for a picnic.

I hope you enjoy this second narrated video showcasing more of my hometown’s main attractions. See you again in part 3, to complete the tour!

Be blessed,
Jyri

Aurajoki Bicycle Tour – part 1

Jyri Manninen | Kajura


I decided to celebrate my 57th birthday by doing a bicycle tour following the banks of the Aura river in Turku, Finland, and in so doing, taking in some of the key tourist sites of my hometown. This is part 1, which has me start by the Paavo Nurmi Stadium in the city’s central sports park. I then follow the northern bank of the river to Turku Castle, and follow that with a nice climb up Kakolanmäki, which is the hill overlooking the city and where the old majestic Kakola Prison building is located, though it now functions as hotel, and includes an exhibition space and café. After meandering my way down to the river again, I cross over to the south bank with the Föri passenger ferry, which is where part 1 of my Aurajoki bicycle tour concludes.

I hope you enjoy this narrated, dare I say, personal tourism video, as I do my best to showcase the amazing things that my hometown has to offer! See you again later in part two.

Be blessed,
Jyri

The First 5 Years.

Jyri Manninen | Kajura


On my 57th birthday, I decided to personally celebrate it by going on a bicycle tour, following the banks of the Aura river in my home town of Turku, Finland. While I’ll have a multi-part series of this local ride coming out later, I’m now, for the first time, posting something quite out of the ordinary, compared to what I usually offer up. 

At the conclusion of the ride, I was suddenly flooded by a wave of strong thoughts and emotions, when I realised that it had now been exactly 5 years since I’d moved to Turku to live. This led me to start deeply pondering all the things that had happened in my life over this past half decade.


I’d actually conceived the Life on the Run concept, just after the end of my 18 year long marriage. I was in desperate need to recover from the trauma of all that, and so I set out to find a way to recalibrate my life, and to carefully decide what direction I was going to take myself next.

So, as a kind of therapy, I started to do long distance walking caminos and cycling tours. From that, it developed into making videos of those journeys with the primary goal of hopefully inspiring others to do the same, particularly those souls also looking for a way out of chaos towards new clarity and balance in their lives.

Deliver me Lord,

from chaos to clarity.

The wheels keep spinning.

‘Life on the Run’ by Jyri Manninen


The video above is a brief summary of those first 5 years of Life on the Run; and for those who may right now be going through some tough times, I hope that my words bring you at least a little bit of encouragement, as to how to begin navigating the inner turmoil of all the associated negative emotions, and sometimes even feelings of utter helplessness. Just know this. There is a way forward, and all you need to do is put one foot in front of the other … literally.

Be blessed,
Jyri