APMC White Peak Wandering 2022

APMC White Peak Wandering October 13th 2022

Mick Leach has sent this report. Photograhs from Mick and Bill. Eddy.

On the days leading up to the run the weather forecast was continually changing but on the morning Ray arrived at our house full of optimism that there was sunshine promised in Buxton. Chris soon joined us and we set of on wet roads towards Hulme End. On arrival at The Tea Junction we were met by a very enthusiastic Bill and June with their much travelled Morris 1000. We were next joined by Bob and Dave from Sheffield. Bob was riding a very nice early 60's Triumph Thunderbird. Three more arrived, Graham and Gordon members of Notts & Derby VMCC and a regular APMC rider Neil from Stafford.

By the start time 11.00 am, the weather could not have been better for the middle of October with wall-to-wall sunshine. The route went through Warslow and Elkstone to the Mermaid where a left turn was made along the Morridge with fine views of The Roaches. There is a view point here where Jodrell Bank can usually be seen on a day like this. Dropping down to Thorncliffe and across the A53 and into Merebrook a right turn was taken onto steep narrow roads underneath The Roaches where the view of Titesworth reservoir is quite something before coming back to the A53 at Upper Hulme. We continued in the Buxton direction for a couple of miles before turning right towards Newtown and minor roads through Brund and Sheene back to the finish.

Back at the Manifold Visitor Centre and The Tea Junction which was once the terminus of the Leek and Manifold railway which closed in the 1930's and now the end of a trail for walkers and cyclists which begins in Waterhouses. The station building is now toilets and an information centre and the locomotive shed which must have been extensively rebuilt is now the tea room. We were able to recharge with good food and drinks, which is definitely to be recommended. I did learn that Ian was a railway enthusiast and that you could write an essay about Bill and June's Morris's front brakes culminating in the fitting of disc brakes. Also that June and Bill once camped in the snow while on the Dragon Rally a few years ago.

It was good to meet old and new friends thank you to everyone for your support.

Mick Leach