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The Northern Peak and South Pennine Group Home Page
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Past Meets of 2006 of the Northern Peak and South Pennine Group
If you enjoyed reading the reports of this years rides of Group you may like to read the past reports of the group’s 2005 , 2007 and 2008 rides.
20th December: Hadfield
A foggy and frosty start to the day. John, Richard, Grayham and myself met at the Longdendale Trail car park at Hadfield. A pleasant cycleway takes us through the urban sprawl of Hadfield, crosses Bottoms reservoir and climbs steeply up and over the infamous Woodhead Road. Then along Arnfield Lane overlooking a reservoir of that name and we soon pick up the Pennine Bridleway signs. A superb series of bridleways and old packhorse routes take us in a northerly direction. A steady uphill and we soon shake off the cold of the day. At this point John left us as he could only escape for the morning Looking back we could see the urban sprawl of Hadfield and Glossop but ahead of us rolling green hills traversed by superb bridleways.. Skirting around Dovestones Reservoir we dropped down into Greenfield – a pleasant cycleway takes us to Uppermill and the mandatory café/lunch break.
A look in the local bike shop and we were on our way along canal towpath to Stalybridge.
Lots of new development going on. A few years ago you couldn’t give these properties
away – now they are fetching high prices. A stiff climb out of Stalybridge on quiet
back roads and we soon developed a sweat. The sun finally burning off the fog and
turning a grey day into a lovely sunny winter’s day. More bridleways followed towards
Middle Bank and in fading sunlight we were able to capture the last rays of fading
sunshine with bright views over the Longdendale Valley towards Bleaklow -
Malcolm Lomas
We left Etherow Country Park and headed through Brabyns Park into Marple and then on to the Middlewood Way trail at Rose Hill. We followed this former railway track heading south to Pott Shrigley where we left the trail and proceeded to the West park gate entrance of the National Trust estate of Lyme Park
The pull of the café in the park was too great to miss and we stopped for a pot of tea. Leaving the café we headed past the stately home of Lyme Hall which featured in the BBC’s production of Pride and Prejudice as Pemberley, the home of Darcy. At this time it was heavily scaffolded and covered by sheeting. Reaching the East Lodge gate we turned south and then east to Kettleshulme and on to Whaley Bridge passing Toddbrook reservoir. Lunch was taken at Whaley Bridge and then we followed the peak Forest canal to Strines. Leaving the canal we followed the river Goyt along the Goyt Way passing the Roman Lakes and back into Marple and Compstall
Grayham Simpson
Marsden Wednesday 15th. November
The early weather was foul, but by the time Grayham, Malcolm, Brian and me were ready for off, (John was suffering from quadricepitis), the skies had cleared. The route took us up the very pleasant track to Wessenden Head, down the A635, then a rather rutted grassy bridleway and on to the Ivy café in Meltham for lunch. A series of bridleways then took us via Blackmoorfoot reservoir to Crossland Moor. One section was surfaced with a particularly foul and deep concoction of water, mud and slurry. But it was exciting trying to stay upright.
We stopped for quite some time on the viewing platform to look down into the depths of the huge Crossland Moor quarry. At this point Grayham was running late and decided to leave us to take the direct ride back to Marsden. We continued down into the Colne Valley at Linthwaite and back along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. By now Brian was ready for another tea stop but unfortunately the floating café at Slaithwaite appeared to be shut for the winter so we continued on to Marsden as the skies began to darken. A very enjoyable day. I’m sure the others were not just being nice when they said this. Thanks for coming.
Richard Kemp
Dragging ourselves away from the warmth and comfort of Edna’s Café we set off and climbed up to Harrop Edge by way of Lark Hill Lane. This was new to us, but so steep and rough that it had us all walking once we had left the tarmac. We continued along the Edge to cross the main road and then climbed by way of the track behind Globe Farm to emerge almost at the summit of the A62.
After passing through Standedge Cutting, the descent was fast and smooth until we turned off to Hey Green. Here we took a newly installed bridleway the short distance to Tunnel End and then quickly along the canal to the Corner Café in Marsden for a lunch stop. After soup, bacon sandwiches and teas we took Old Mount Road back to the top of Standedge. This was very steep made worse by the strong headwind, but we all managed to ride, and were rewarded by excellent views into the Wessenden Valley.
Passing over the top of Standedge once more, we took the Pennine Bridleway down to Diggle. This is much pleasanter in descent than in ascent and rideable throughout. At Diggle we joined the Huddersfield canal where it emerges from the 3 mile long Standedge tunnel. Passing the old Dobcross loom works now a pathetic reminder of a once thriving industry, we continued through Uppermill and Greenfield to Friezland. Here we had another steep climb to a lane behind Wharmton followed by a near vertical descent to Dobcross and then the short ride on the road back to Edna’s Café for a final brew.
It had been a grey day, but not as cold as a few days earlier. Thirty years ago the whole of this ride would have been within the the West Riding of Yorkshire. Today, unfortunately for three of us, half of it is in Oldham. Such is progress!! Click here to check John’s photos of the ride.
John Kemp
Wednesday 18th. October. Digley: Upper Holme Valley
The usual team of four met at Digley reservoir supported by Peter Kenner and Ken Glaze. I was a bit late joining them as somehow the advertised grid reference didn’t tie in with the venue, so brother John had me posted at nearby Brownhill just in case. We were fortunate to have Ben and Sim from Singletrack magazine with us for the day. They were preparing an article on the Fellowship and it appeared that our date was the only one which fitted in with their schedule.
After a very steep but fortunately short tarmac start we took the bridleway running parallel to the A635 over Saddleworth Moor for a while. This is part of the catchment area of Digley and the route passes a number of derelict farms and quarrymen’s cottages. These were vacated when they, and the land, were taken over by the water board in the late forties through compulsory purchase. Ironically fifty years later, presumably with a fat profit in mind, the water authority made two attempts for planning permission for their redevelopment and public enquiries followed. The beautiful wild moorland here is reminiscent of Top Withens, and in the words of the inspector “These derelict farmsteads form a part of this degraded agricultural scenery, and as such should remain the same.” The track here is too rough for cars, (part of it is deeply grooved slabs worn by quarry sleds), but had we lost, it would probably have been graded and another bit of Roughstuff lost. Vigilance eternal! Finally we turned north to drop in at the Ivy Café in Meltham, supposedly for a cup of tea. However the lure of hot bacon butties and the like proved too strong for some of us.
Then a series of lanes to arrive at New Mill for lunch. No café, just a village
shop with a seat outside, but Atkinson’s butchers have a very nice line in pies and
also do cups of tea. By the time Grayham got there they’d run out of milk so they
even sent the apprentice over to the Co-
We’d now dropped back down to the valley bottom and it was obvious that there was a bit of serious uphill, the last bit of which had most of us pushing at least for part of the way. At the top was an old quarry so the rest of us took it easy whilst Brian and Peter did a photo shoot for the visitors. Brian appeared to drop head first over one of the drops. I didn’t try. Sim had earlier mentioned not wanting any blood on his photos!
More country lanes with fine views over the valley followed, with a stop whilst Peter, ever vigilant, had noticed a lone mountain biker and buttonholed him with an application form for the Fellowship. Then the final drop down to the river Holme. This particular part has suffered badly from the elements and the four track brigade, and is now severely rutted and bumpy. At the bottom Grayham noticed that my mudguard had shaken loose, but being only a few yards from home I couldn’t be bothered to fix it. Twenty yards from the gate the cattle grid did for it and the whole lot disappeared through the bars. Think there’s a moral somewhere in this. Click here to see photos of the ride.
Richard Kemp
Ogden Water Sunday 1st October 2006
Present: John kemp, Grayham Simpson, Malcolm Lomas and Brian Parkinson from the Lancashire Group who rides with us quite regularly.
A short distance from the car park, Back Lane a bridleway runs north westwards on to Thornton Moor. After a steady short ascent of about 2 kilometers this becomes singletrack, levels out, then drops steeply down to Sawood Lane. Because of the obligatory cake stop, a devious detour took us to the terminus of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway buffet carriage tea stop. Shaw Lane got us back on route and then Lee Lane took us past Leeshaw Reservoir and eventually to Stairs Lane. A delightful bridleway took us steeply to the “Top of Stairs”, followed by a long gradual descent overlooking Crimsworth Dean. A short uphill push to the A6033 road followed by a steep and strenuous push until easier ground and some excellent singletrack through the heather took us to high Brown Knoll 433m above sea level. Further superb single track, boggy in places over the moor, then descending very steeply into the upper reaches of Luddenden Dean. Through an impressive gate house we picked up a tarmac road and were soon in Wainstalls. Uphill on more bridleways, past Cold Edge Dams to Withins, once a pub but now a private house where we were able to get a welcome pot of tea. Then the final downhill on a bumpy bridleway back to the car park at Ogden Water. The weather stayed fine for us most of the time, with excellent views over Widdop reservoir towards the Gorple Road from High Brown Knoll. Twenty miles, most of it off road muddy in places, quite strenuous, but none the less a great bike ride in true RSF fashion. Check out the photos of the ride taken by John Kemp.
Malcolm Lomas
Langsett Wednesday 20th September 2006
Richard (brand new high spec bike!!) led Sol, Grayham, Brian and myself via a newly constructed and dedicated bridleway from the visitor centre to cross the A628 east of The Flouch, and then along another bridleway down to the Trans Pennine Trail at Soughley. We followed the trail to Dunford, climbed to cross the Winscar embankment, pass over Snittlegate and down the rough Snittle Road to Hade Edge. At the butcher’s we bought superior pork pies for lunch. Passing Boshaw Whams we took the, new for us, delightful bridleway of Ox Lee Lane to Victoria. Then on tarmac to Maythorn, and an unrideable (except for Brian) steep singletrack descent between wall and gorse. After some time lunching at Hazlehead Café we dropped to the Don which even Brian thought better of fording. Over the narrow bridge and along a track we were faced by a major obstacle in climbing up a steep, loose, briar, nettle and bramble infested embankment to regain the T P Trail which we followed to Oxspring. Another bridleway, then over the top and a drop to Stocksbridge followed by narrow lanes to Upper Midhope and the café at Langsett. A day of continuous high winds, but thankfully warm and fine with extensive views over South and West Yorkshire. Cameras forgotten – damn!
John Kemp
Hebden Bridge Sunday 3rd September 2006
Saturday night, Richard rang to say (expletives deleted!) the headset on his (what do you expect bought for £5!) Mtb has stripped, and that there is no way he would risk dirtying his ultra lightweight. So, I lend him my old tourer, hoping that this will finally persuade him to become a member. As usual, Grayham led the steep ascent from the NT car park to Shackleton, whence we took the level and pleasant bridleway through Walshaw. This skirts Hebden Water before crossing Alcomden Water to meet the Burnley road at Widdop. There we were met by horizontal wind and rain coming out of Lancashire, which continued all the way to the Coldwell Centre. Here a bedraggled group sat down to pie and peas (only £2.20), as we listened to the rain lashing down outside. Unanimously, we abandoned our intended route along Boulsworth Hill, and reversed the road to Slack where once more we took shelter under a large tree. After some easing we dropped past the New Delight at Jack Bridge. Sol then led us to the A646 down a super bridleway along Colden Water. This was a new track for the rest of us, President Frank included. Finally, we made the quick 2 miles back to the start. Not the day we’d planned but enjoyable nevertheless. Click here o see photos of the ride.
John Kemp
Bamford MTB Weekend Sunday 20th August 2006
This meet was an open ride -
Setting off towards Ladybower we took the scenic ascent to Long Causeway over Stanage Edge. This is a magnet for 4 by 4s whose drivers seem to treat the upper section as some kind of obstacle course. From their difficulties, one can only conclude that this must be a very expensive sport (nay activity) indeed. We did not dally at the exposed Stanage Pole but descended rapidly through the delightfully wooded Wyming Brook to cross the A57 and climb over to Bradfield for lunch.
Later we took the unspoilt Stake Hill track over Ughill Moors and on to Moscar Lodge followed by a bridleway to Ladybower. On the final lane to Bamford we met Dave Howgate coming the other way who chatted to us for some minutes. Click here to see photos of the ride.
John Kemp
A poor forecast, but we met in good weather at Dovestones and followed the Pennine
Bridleway southwards. This is a very pleasant well maintained track indeed, as it
contours the hillside high above the River Tame. A steep climb through Brushes Valley
leads over the moors to a roughish drop to a ford in Ogden Brook and on to Arnfield
where we left the PBW. A climb took us to Hobson Moor and Matley, then a nicely situated
but badly maintained track to Stalybridge. We bought lunch at the “Tripe & Sandwich
Shop” (Hot beef muffin £1.25 and cup of tea £0.35). How many tripe shops remain,
I wonder? We sat by the canal to have lunch in the appropriately named Armentieres
Square, coincidently on the day that posthumous pardons were granted to soldiers
shot for cowardice in the 1914-
John Kemp
Wednesday 26th July 2006 Hayfield
Three members set off from the car park in Hayfield, being the site of the old railway station, along the Sett valley trail to Birch Vale. Following a bridleway we climbed steeply over Ollersett Moor passing the TV station on our right. Crossing the top of the moor we eventually arrived at Peep O’ Day at the junction with the A624. Crossing the road we continued along a well defined rough track, frequented by the dreaded 4 x 4 brigade, descending steeply into the bottom of Roych Clough. We climbed out of the clough and eventually came to a junction with the road close to Rushup Edge. From here we descended steeply via minor roads into Chapel Milton where we joined a former old tram track which took us to the historic canal basin at Bugsworth. Limestone transported along this track from quarries in the Dove Holes area was processed in kilns sited alongside the canal at the basin, into lime. It was there distributed via the Peak Forest canal. After lunch in Whaley Bridge we climbed very steeply along minor roads to a rough track very aptly named Over Hill Road. This track skirted the other side of Ollersett Moor and eventually descended into Birch Vale and back along the Sett Valley Trail into Hayfield. The end of the ride was most welcome as the day had become very hot and humid.
Grayham Simpson
Wednesday: Sol Lomas, Grayham Simpson, Brian Parkinson, Dave Howgate and myself met at Cycle Promotions’ car park where we bought half a dozen chains. Conveniently cyclists can leave cars on their premises, so we set off for a 34 mile ride around South Yorkshire. Along the Trans Pennine Trail we stopped at Old Moor RSPB café for elevenses. Amazing how an area of mining dereliction has been transformed into a wildlife haven. Continuing through the Don Gorge we lunched in the churchyard at Sprotbrough.
Later we rode through the attractive villages of High Melton, Barnburgh Hickleton,
and Hooton Pagnell to reach Darfield stopping at the museum café. This is indeed
a marvellous little place full of local history -
John Kemp
Tadcaster (York Rally) 25 June 2006
I received a phone call on Saturday night informing me that the Oldham/Rochdale contingent had mistakenly gone to Tadcaster a day too soon! Consequently our Sunday run was rather depleted. Malcolm Lomas, Grayham Simpson and I drove over to meet Peter Kenner who had driven down from Lancaster. We left Tadcaster proceeding rapidly through Bolton Percy. At Appleton Roebuck we were delayed by Grayham’s puncture before continuing to the York Rally. The flat fast roads and pleasant villages to the west of York made a pleasant change from our normal rides. At the Rally we wandered around individually to look at the stalls and buy spares. Time to go, so we said goodbye to Peter who had decided to stay a little longer and then returned quickly to Tadcaster via Askhham Bryan and Wighill. The fastest 27miles we’ve done for some time!
John Kemp
Watergrove 17 May 2006
Sol, Grayham, Danny and I met at Watergrove reservoir on a rather grey Wednesday. Heavy rain forecast for the afternoon, so would we need full gear or not? Decide to risk it since skies did not look threatening at the moment. 10 o’clock and we were off.
We left the reservoir and took the bridleway which climbs steadily up to contour around Rough Hill. We were able to make much better progress than earlier in the year when there was a great deal of ice about. In the odd place we had to walk for a few yards with the exception of Danny, who of course has youth on his side! From the col we descended towards Ramsden Clough Reservoir to meet the bridleway coming up from Walsden, and where there are extensive views over Calderdale with Stoodley Pike prominent in the distance. Climbing up, this bridleway deteriorated into steep grass as we approached the trig point on Freeholds Top. This is usually a good viewpoint, but unfortunately we could not pick out the outlines of Penyghent or Ingleborough today.
After a brief stop we contoured around the hillside. Initially on grass, but then dropped down a little to meet another but better track which took us quickly to meet the A681 near Sharneyford. From here we took a track which drops down steeply parallel to the main road and emerges in the centre of Bacup. We had been recommended to visit the Fudge Factory for lunch, but it was fully booked for a function, so we were unable to enjoy “free fudge with every cup of tea” Back to the centre of Bacup and we eventually, after much to and froing, found an excellent coffee bar and café near the market.
Soup and sandwiches consumed and we were on our way up the main road towards Rochdale. A mile or so along we took a pleasant lane which climbs and runs high above the west side of the valley to finally drop down back to the A671 at Shawforth. At this point we took a very good newly made bridleway which climbs through a recently landscaped area of old quarries. This now makes a new and very pleasant ascent towards Brown Wardle Hill. Today, at the high point we decided not to take the track which proceeds directly over the col but to contour around the hillside following an old leat to Lobden golf course.
At the golf course. we turned north to follow the Pennine Bridleway back to Watergrove. However Danny, with his local knowledge, was able to show us another track which continues at a higher level to meet the track we had taken in the morning, and so enabled us to extend the ride a short distance. Then it was a quick drop back to the reservoir and around to the start.
Back for just before 3pm, so not a long day. I think we had rather overestimated the time it would take, since our previous visit had been in winter conditions, whereas today the ground was much better. However, 10 minutes later and the promised rain arrived. Another half hour out and we would have been soaked, so that was just as well!
This area is becoming better known since the newly opened Pennine Bridleway passes through, but there is much more. The whole area is festooned with tracks, bridleways, ancient trods and packhorse routes. There is much of interest since the building of the reservoir resulted in the drowning of a village and the disappearance of surrounding hillside settlements. Many of the remains of the farming, quarrying and mining activities are still in evidence today. It is well worth a visit with many possibilities for either a short afternoon ride or a much fuller extended day trip.
John Kemp
Wednesday 19th April 2006 Compstall
A night and morning of continuous rain and Richard rang to say that despite having loaded his car the night before he was not coming out to play in such miserable conditions. That was his loss, for as soon Grayham and I arrived at the start the rain stopped for the whole day.
We set off through Brabyns Park and at Marple joined the, in places very wet, Middlewood Way trail to Bollington. From here went to Pott Shrigley where we took the hill road and then dropped down to Kettleshulme. On the climb Nicola showed that she had increased her level of fitness since an earlier outing. From Kettleshulme we continued to Whaley Bridge for lunch. Unfortunately the Footsteps café closes early on Wednesdays, but we managed to find a new venue in the Aromaround Coffee Shop which was happy to cater for cyclists.
After lunch we followed the canal to Strines where we crossed to the other side of the valley and along the bridleway to The Roman Lakes for a cup of tea. We were able to sit outside since the weather had now turned out quite pleasant.
After being refreshed we climbed back up to the canal and thence proceeded down the long series of locks to cross the Marple Aqueduct. This is a remarkable structure crossing high above the river and parallel to an even higher railway viaduct. Val and Michelle were very impressed. We continued on to Romiley where we made the final swoop down to Compstall. At the end of the day we were al quite mud bespattered except for 79 years young Brian who had not a speck of dirt on him. We all found that quite remarkable!
John Kemp
Wednesday 15th March 2006 Ladybower
The Snake Pass had re-
We set off towards Bamford, but at The Yorkshire Bridge took the steepish road that rises below Bamford Edge and then up towards Stanage. On this section we were passed at high speed by one of the most inconsiderate 4 by 4 drivers I have ever come across and who had a total disregard for the cyclist. We should not have to put up with this sort of behaviour! After pausing to swear, we pressed on to the cattle grid where we left the tarmac and took the Long Causeway to the top of Stanage Edge. The climb up here, though not steep, soon became a walk as it is not in good enough condition for cycling, and in places there was much water coming down it. We passed over the Edge and along another very wet track to Stanage Pole where we stopped to wonder about its origins and to take a photo or two. However, we did not linger here since the wind was cold making it quite inhospitable.
We descended the wide and rutted track to Redmires reservoirs, and then down the delightfully wooded Wyming Brook Drive to reach the A57. Crossing the main road we climbed behind the Norfolk Arms and by a series of tracks and minor roads through Dungworth to reach Low Bradfield for lunch. The Post Office café is very small with only two tables, but the hot soup must rank as one of the best. Highly commended!
After lunch there was a slight lessening of the cold and some brightening in the sky, but Sol had first to mend a puncture before we could continue. This done, we set off up Bradfield Dale climbing up to meet the road from Ughill to Moscar. Here we turned left and then right to follow Stake Hill Road (which is not a road but a track) over the top to Moscar. None of us had been on this track before and were impressed by its character and situation. This was despite having to walk for almost its entirety due to the excessive amount of water on the grassy surface. At the summit Dave left us to cycle back to Dronfield, whilst we pressed on to Moscar Lodge looking out for the ancient guide stoops that Dave had told us to look out for.
From here we dropped down the A57 for the short distance to Cutthroat Bridge where we took the bridleway that runs above the road all the way back to the Ladybower Bridge, from where it was just a short distance back to the cars and a welcome flask, before making the journey back over The Snake.
John Kemp
Wednesday 15th February 2006 Marsden
Six riders from as far afield as Ormskirk and Cleckheatonat met at Marsden station on what turned out to be a better than expected day following the heavy rain of the day before. After a short steepish pull out of the village, we set off up the attractive Wessenden Valley on a good, wide and easily graded reservoir access track. This continued as far as Wessenden Lodge where it became rideable single track. We had a couple of short stops at the behest of Mr Prostate, and also to admire the extensive moorland and reservoir views. After an hour we were at the head of the valley, and a few yards further on joined the A635 at the site of the long since gone Isle of Skye inn.
This was then followed by a very fast descent for a mile to Harden Moss where we took the good bridleway which descends steeply to Meltham. Near the bottom, horrible sounds of metal on metal told me that my front brake blocks were in urgent need of replacement. Then a second potential disaster arose, as Sol pulled up with a splitting front rim. I popped into the local bike shop for some blocks, and after much searching was told that they had every sort of blocks except peg type cantilevers. “OK, have you a pair on an old bike?” I asked. “There’s a pair on this bike that’s going to the tip, so you can have them to tide you over”, “Thank you” I said, and quick as a flash added, “Incidentally, if that bike is going to the tip could you let me have the front wheel, since I have a mate outside with a collapsed rim” Gratefully, I emerged complete with blocks and front wheel. So, if you are ever in Meltham and want a helpful bike shop, you know where to go.
By this time everyone else was seated in the highly recommendable Ivy Café enjoying immense bowls of soup and teacakes. There was a look of surprise as I entered to present Sol with a replacement wheel courtesy of Mike Pontefract’s bike shop.
After lunch, blocks and wheel installed, we went by road and track to Slawit ( or Slaithwaite if you are posh). A short stop by the canal and then we took the steep and lengthy climb up to Wilberlee followed by the road that encircles the head of Bradshaw. Past the Rose and Crown we descended VERY steeply (thank God I was able to replace the blocks!) to a point on the Huddersfield canal between Slaithwaite and Marsden. Finally we followed the canal back to our starting point, and the local café for a pot of tea.
Not a long ride, but one of extensive views, enjoyable and memorable in more ways than one. Click here to see photos of the ride.
John Kemp
Sunday 22nd January 2006 Hayfield
Driving over Chunal from Glossop to Hayfield, I noticed a lone cyclist stopped at the side of the road. So, having once been a Wolf Cub, I stopped to offer assistance. It turned out to be Don who had just punctured on his way to our meet at Hayfield. We threw the bike in the back so he could then mend it at leisure whilst we waited for any other riders at the start. Here we met Pete who had not been out with us before, and then Steve turned up with five (!) guests from Rochdale.
Puncture repaired, we set off down the Sett Valley Trail as far as New Mills where we proceeded through the deep and impressive rocky gorge of the Torrs. We inspected the magnificent Millennium Walkway which traverses the narrowest part high above the river. When you are in the town above, you would never realise that you were on the edge of such a defile. From here, we continued along the road to Strines where we took the steep track on the left. This passes under the Peak Forest Canal to emerge on Marple Ridge. After regaining our breath, we continued to enter Lyme Park at the main gate. Passing in front of the house, which was the setting for the acclaimed TV adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, we took the track to the East Lodge.
From the East Lodge the track becomes very rough as it descends to a small ford before rising up to meet the road over the top from Disley to Macclesfield. On reaching the road, we turned right and continued over the summit. Descending steeply, we took two left turns and wended our way over a stream. A set of killer cobbles followed which had most of us (but not all) walking as we climbed very steeply back up high above Whaley Bridge. Dropping into Whaley we could not find a tea room so went to Tescos for teas and food. However, the only food on offer was the ubiquitous all day breakfast, so I had to eat my emergency rations instead!
After lunch, we followed a branch of the canal to the recently restored Buxworth
Basin. This an extensive series of canal docks and was once an important point where
quarried stone was transferred from tramway to barge. Apparently, the tramway is
to be restored to provide a new leisure route. Leaving the canal we climbed, again
steeply, up Dolly Lane to meet the old road running high along Chinley Churn. At
this point the party split with the true off-
It had been a much better day than our previous outing earlier in the week when we had nothing but mist and drizzle. Today had been bright and sunny with extensive views over the surrounding countryside. A good morning followed by a short afternoon. A mixture of tracks and back roads. And, according to my new toy, we had made over 2000ft of ascent. I would never have believed it!
John Kemp
If would like more information about the Group’s next ride check out their forthcoming events page.