NEW LYKE WAKE CLUB

“Having been full of anticipation through the week, starting at Osmotherley at 04:40 felt slightly surreal in the semi darkness of a cloudy Saturday 25 July 2020. We were full of excitement, trepidation and appreciation for our lift from Redcar, courtesy of Jenni.

The Cleveland Way was memorable for its unbeatable views. At one point, Carlton Bank felt like the border between summer and winter, with clouds whipping off the moor, only to instantly dissipate when meeting the ridgeline.

Arriving at The Lion just as it opened, 7 hours later at 11:45 with the sun shining, we felt like the world was at our feet and that we’d finish by 20:30, easily! How wrong we were.

Peat bogs (apparently conditions were good?!) and knee deep heather made going extremely tough and our pace really suffered. Hours would go past with the landscape barely changing. There was a sense of jealousy at the souls laid to rest in the barrows below. This was a real test of mental strength.

Stepping stones and Lilla cross were reached, but by this time the beautiful sunset was rapidly disappearing and the torches that we didn’t actually need in the morning were now becoming our most essential item. Ravenscar radio tower was briefly in sight, but the next time we saw it, we were only 200 metres away! At 23:20, we touched the end stone. Total time 18 hours 40 minutes.

At the finish, I almost couldn’t tell whether the approaching lights on the road were from Jenni’s car or that from the sweet relief of death. Never has a pin badge felt more coveted or deserved.

Low points: The never-ending section between Smith’s Lane and Wheeldale Road; going dark on Flyingdales.

High points: Starting stone to The Lion – what an amazing section; lunch; puzzlingly, the final ascent from Jugger Howe Beck; finishing (I think?).

Huge congrats to the people running the route: the couple just before the Wainstones; the chap just after The Lion, and the couple just before Shunner Howe. Running seems like a good idea now, if only to end the misery sooner! Not sure our feet would have managed it though.

Never again (maybe).

Harry and Elsa, from Newcastle.”

Thanks very much for all of this, the walk will live long in the memory.

All the best,

Harry

In such strange times, challenges can be relied upon to lift your spirits and The Lyke Wake Walk was certainly one of these. Months in the planning, and with several miles of practice walks in our boots, myself and my friend Ross set off at 4am from Osmotherley with one thing in mind – to complete this challenge as best as we could. Accompanied by his brother, Sean (who was offering moral support up until the Lion Inn), we touched the Lyke Wake Stone and began our journey. We were immediately blown away by industrial nature of the views that met us towards Middlesbrough.

With lights twinkling, and a red hue in the sky from the impending sunrise, we began what can only be described as one of the most breathtaking 15km of views I have ever seen as the sun rose. Carlton Bank and Drake Howe offered an unmatched panorama and we were honoured to have this area to ourselves so early in the day.

As Checkpoint 2, we would meet our next supporter, Lee, who would join us for the remaining part of the walk. With the terrain now changing, and the sun beating down on us, we would welcome the sight of The Lion Inn at the half way point and a well deserved dinner break.

Saying a fond farewell to Sean, and a welcome to a next supporter, Miles, we began the final half of the walk paying respect to Fat Betty as we walked past her. Apprehension had in fact been building about the notorious boggy section that was to follow but we need not have worried, as any nightmares we had of being up to our knees in stagnant water never came to fruition and, instead, we were bouncing over the peat like trampolinists.

As Flyingdales came into view, we seemed to get an extra energy boost and made for that as our next target. Shunner Howe, Wheeldale Beck and Simon Howe came and went and, after what seemed like forever, we reached the huge concrete structure.
Moving onto our final section of the walk, the sight of Beacon Howes and its mast meant we were in touching distance of the finish line. With increasing excitement that we were close, we were greeted by something that brought impending doom to our feet – Jugger Howe Ravine. Silent groans came from of joints but we persevered through and plodded to our finish. Touching the Lyke Wake Stone, we were greeted by our families who had beer and fish and chips as our reward. A fantastic end to what was, and is, and amazing and beautiful walk.

A video of our adventure can be found here:
https://youtu.be/tHKcm4vLHiI

Simon White