Not really done either route recently but 2 I have done can be tailored to suit by leaving Buxton on the OLD Macc Road(down the old coach road) to Derbyshire Bridge then either :-
A) up to Cat & Fiddle, Across the moor, Right at the road, Right again after about half mile, Down Cumberland Brook, Upto Standing Stone Carpark, Trrough Macc Forest, Up to Tegs Nose, Right down Charity Lane, Left at Forest Chapel, Stanley Arms and back to Cat & Fiddle, Down to Derbyshire Bridge, Buxton. Approx 18 mile with some lung busting hills thrown in.
B) At Derbyshire Bridge turn Right, Follow road and take track past Fernilee Res, A bit cloudy on the rest of this one but you can get to Whaley Bridge via Taxal and then back through Horwich End , Fernilee past Whitehall Outdoor Centre and back into Buxton down Long Hill. Can't remember miles or dificulty.
Why you not poping over the hill to Hope and Castleton etc.. far more route choice and much better riding?
HTH anyway