About 25 riders set off from Hadfield to Tintwistle on what was billed as a short and easy ride. We crossed the A628 and then followed tracks behind "The Monkey House" along the north side of the Longdendale Valley. We re-crossed the A628 to ride along a track within the Rhodeswood reservoir enclosure as far as Torside reservoir. Here we continued along a track through the woods until we were forced out of the reservoir enclosure to re-cross the A628 and climb the farm track above the A628 followed by a descent to Crowden. We then followed the Northern Horse Route for half a mile on a track which would benefit from greater usage. On reaching Woodhead Chapel we crossed the valley to join the Trans Pennine Trail. After a couple of miles following the TPT towards Hadfield we dropped steeply off the trail and down to Valehouse Reservoir, crossed the embankment and entered the woods on the north side of Bottoms reservoir and thence back to Hadfield for a final lunch and refreshment at The New Lamp. The weather was kind the company was good and many were surprised that there was so much off-road on the north side of the valley - never far from the busy A628 but seldom aware of its existence.  For me it was also most gratifying to see so many friends and well wishers from near and far. .

John