The main group had set out to ride the Congleton reliablity ride and we hope they are reliable even though they have so  many miles on the clock. Myself and Dave Mags set out to ride the Manifold track as it has been some time since we have ridden along there. We rode along Buxton Road and Springfield Road before turning on to Ashbourne Road and heading to Bottom House and Ipstones Edge. We rode down Stony Lane and in to Waterhouses station car park and on to the track where we soon being bounced around on the rough track. As we had made good time, we decided to climb out of the valley and in to Whetton and on to the Alstonfield road where we had a navigation upset as we headed down what we thought was a public road but led us in to a run down farm yard complete with abandoned Land Rovers. Dave was not keen on my suggestion of removing a gearbox as I need a spare, you just can not get the club riders now! We turned round and headed in to Hulme End where the Station Cafe was open and were soon enjoying coffee and cake as well as beans on toast.

We headed back through Longnor and up to Flash where the sunshine vanished and the rain clouds returned as well as a tough headwind. We were glad to get some shelter out of the wind on the climb to Roach End and were glad to drop back in to Meerbrook and Abbey Green. We arrived back in Leek at 12.30 after a forty mile ride. Thanks to Dave M for leading the ride.

Nick A