Normal service resumed
Osmotherly to Roseberry Topping is my favourite section of the Cleveland Way, so it seemed the obvious choice to restart my hiking adventures after a slow Christmas period.
The high winds of the previous night had dropped so off I trotted with Pepper my trusty walking partner. We gained height out of Osmotherly and were soon hiking along the escarpment of the North York Moors.
Dropping down from Carlton bank i popped to my favourite cafe for a breakfast bun. Lord stones cafe is a great place to stop for refreshments, the cafe is built into a rocky outcrop and is well worth a visit.
The Wainstones on Hasty bank are a hot spot for climbers but today a sea king helicopter was using it to practice flying manoeuvres. Pepper had her own tricks to practice and I taught her two new commands and she managed to walk past several sheep without tearing off in a mad frenzy.
The hike into Kildale took it’s toll on my legs and feet, I started to feel tired after 20 miles but I knew I was lacking fitness after my long flu lay off.
A lot of people where enjoying themselves around Captain Cooks monument especially Pepper who found a few dog friends to chase about. By the time I reached The car park near Roseberry Topping I was ready to call it a day and I was glad when Leanne turned up to take me home.
It took me exactly 9hrs to hike 25 miles with numerous ascents and descents. 3mph average is a good start considering there was 4776ft ascent. I took 3 – 15 minute breaks and carried a light pack. I am aiming to train myself to be able to handle a National Trail with a a daily mileage of 25+ miles per day.
Kit wise the inov8 320s fit well into the faster/longer approach. The race pro 30 pack is great as a day pack, i am still wondering if its big enough for thru hiking. The last thing I want to do is get sucked into the realms of the gram counters.
UKmase 