White Peak Wandering APMC Run
John Earp has sent photographs, videos and write up for this event. (Thank you John. It looked to be a great day out. Eddy)
Because Steve lives in Derby and I live
in Burton we'd arranged to meet at the Salt Box Cafe at 10.00am,
however on reaching the cafe I noticed a sign saying "All who
parked there must pay", I so decided to wait for Steve on the
curb on opposite side of the road to the cafe.
I was early as I thought I may get caught at Hatton/Tutbury
railway station level crossing (I didn't) so I was at the Salt
Box at 09.45, Steve told me he'd had to take a detour around
Hilton as the road was closed but he was also early and at 09.50
we were ready to go.
I was riding my Honda CB500X and Steve was on his Kawasaki
Versys 300 as the APMC is all about the age of the rider - not
the bike!
We were soon on the A515 to Ashbourne road with Steve leading
and through Ashbourne onto the Buxton Road arriving at the Jug
and Glass Pub, the APMC meeting point around 10.40 for an
11.00am start time.
As we pulled into the very gravelley car park (be carefull) I
saw a few familiar faces and many unfamiliar faces and once
parked we were given our route for the run. David Giles, Steve
and I checked the route on Davids OS map so we'd know where to
go but that turned out to be a waste of time!
Apparently many more people arrived than had been expected and
route maps were in short supply however both Steve and I had one
and this was lucky as would be proved later.
On a Thursday morning I normally go to Justin's coffee morning
at the Kingfisher Cafe, 10.30 at Fradley. (check it out!) There
we meet up with VMCC members and non members alike, two of which
turned up at the Jug and Glass today, namely Hubert and
'Electric" John from Tamworth, apparently I'm "Burton" John.
Neither had a route holder so would be following us and as we'd
not had a breakfast and the Jug and Glass was not yet open we
decided to make an early stop at the cafe in Monyash for a
breakfast roll and a hot drink. (See photos.)
We were not the only ones with this in mind and had a pleasant
stopover with other riders until we re-joined the run. Steve was
leading and I was second. To be honest I've always dreaded
leading and been happy to follow but still keeping an eye on the
route. However, after turning left onto the A6 at Taddington,
then right to Priestcliffe it all went wrong!
We found ourselves on a very small grassy track which led us
back onto the A6. Both Steve and I had mis-read the route and
decided to cut our losses and take the A6 straight to Ashford
and Monsal Head. I was now lead, glad I'd also got a route map
and feeling rather uncomfortable. My sister has a cottage at
Taddington so I do know the area and so we found ourselves at
Monsal Head car park were we'd caught up with other APMC members
who were also on the run. (More photos.)
I explained to our group that we basically had to re-trace our
steps back to Ashford to get us back on track and I was amazed
that the milage on my speedo was nearly spot on with the route
map. We went to Sheldon, towards the A6, left turn by the
bookshop at Brierlow to Longnor, left turn to Earl Sterndale
then stopped to turn my map over.
At this point another "gaggle" of bikes (what's the collective
name?) came past us and I thought they may have already turned
their route over but just up the road they were all stopped and
we overtook them again.
Back now towards Pilsbury and Hartington, left towards Asbourne
by Hartington signal box, left at the "T" junction at the top,
onto the A515 and back to the Jug and Glass Pub.
The Jug and Glass car park was fairly busy with bikes and cars
and another crowd of bikes came in so we decided to go to the
Station at Hulme End for a coffee and cake as to be honest we
were still full from our breakfast bap at Moneyash.
So turn right out of the car park, right again to Hartington and
left to Hulme End where we had a nice sunny location for a
relaxed coffee, cake and chat.
Out of here we took a left turn eventually over the A52
Asbourne/Leek Road to Alton and took a break outside the JCB
building at Rocester for a final chat and photos before heading
back via Uttoxeter to Draycot-in-the-Clay where Hubert and
'Electric John' took a right turn back to Tamworth and Steve and
I took a left towards the A50 Sudbury,
Steve and I departed at the Marchington roundabout, he headed
towards Sudbury and the A50 and I took the road to Fauld,
Tutbury and home to Stretton. It was now just gone 4pm.
My milage was just over 110 miles and my bike had apparently
averaged 73mpg which I think is pretty good for a 500.
All in all we all had a great day out. The sun was shining for
much of the ride, we saw some fantastic scenery and the company
was great.
Thanks to the APMC for organising the run. I'm not sure who
actually planned the route but I look forward to next year when
no doubt we will do a similar run again. John
Link to YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/Fukp4NZxWHI
The start photographs
Hulme End
Moneyash
Monsall Head
Back at the Jug and Glass
JCB
