I'M sure there are some who might wonder about the two-ishness of this journal. That is, what exactly is this the second part of? What was the first part? Are there any more parts? A few more parts? Many more parts? Or, none more parts? How about we settle in and have this mystery explained?

Some years that come along carry with them some seemingly additional meaning, or momentousness. This just might be one of those years. As such, it is kind of fun to do a few more momentousy things.

Earlier this year during northern Ontario's frigid and snowy winter, I popped the black touring bike into a box, gathered my Arkel panniers, my GPS and a few more things and headed out on a few planes for a solo cycle tour in Portugal from Lisbon to the Algrave. As some know, I LOVE water and love the sea/ocean.  As such, the tour was great. I went to some places I had previously enjoyed as well as some new-to-me spots. This was the portion of 2025 touring to be known as Part 1.

As great as the tour was, I missed my wee lad who has now accompanied me on two tours. The upcoming autumn, this wee lad is heading to uni and I will be quite 'upheavaled' by this momentous change - so hopefully cycle touring, my happy place, will console me.

Additionally, some years in life are momentous - this is one - so why not make the best of things? How many more years will I tour? Who knows, so here I go. Thus, Part 2.

The remaining question or questions concern the possibility of additional parts. If one were to ask me for clarification I would simply have to sum up a great deal of thought into a very wise and complex phrase: "I don't know." I always have oodles of thoughts about where else I'd like to tour, or simply a plunking of myself in a Cuban resort. Time will tell.

And finally, why there and why Portugal yet again? The short and just as wise response - I love Portugal, I have not been to the northeastern part of the country and would like to see it. And why the Atlantic coast again? Because the water is there. And how is this for momentous... this tour will mark my tenth time in Portugal.