Unexpected week off - where to go riding?

Rich-Ti

My time off between contracts looks to have been conveniently (or not so, if you happen to be my bank manager) extended for an extra week so I now have the rest of this week and all of next week (i.e. until Sun 26th) to do my own thing!

I'd like to make the most of it and spend a few days riding somewhere. It'll just be me myself & I so nobody else to worry about keeping occupied whilst I'm on the bike - the only stipulations being that it needs to be not too extreme price-wise and preferably reachable (is that a word?!) without a car, although I could hire one if absolutely necessary.

I've ridden in Wales twice recently so that's probably out
The Lakes is a good option and personal favourite, but again, have already ridden there a couple of times this year
I've not ridden in the Peak District before - is that worth a visit?
I'm sure there's plenty of other UK destinations worth a go - South West?
I'm far from adverse to going abroad - it's just knowing where to start!

Thoughts and advice much appreciated! 8)

nadir

i would reccommend scotland - particularly dumfries and galloway over to arran then the mull of kintyre and up to oban/mull, i`ve had some fabulous tours round there
otherwise head for la tanniere in the brittany/normandy/pays de la loire triangle and you could help me with the painting and decorating, i`ve just bought a house their and am going over there to do a bit of rennovation (and cycling)
are you any good with a brush???????

ColinJ

Obviously Scotland would be fantastic but it's rather a long way to go from London. If you would prefer to do less travelling you could do worse than heading for this area.

There are some great roads in West Yorkshire itself, but also within cycling distance (and lovely cycling country) are the Yorkshire Dales to the north, the Forest of Bowland to the northwest, and the Peak District to the south.

richa

France. Closer than Scotland and more exotic, better weather, bigger mountains.

Eurostar to the Alps?

APIII

Get a ryanair flight from Stansted to Pau, then it's an hour to the classic cols of the Pyrenees.

Chip \'oyler

Base yourself in Leeds. Then you can get out North for rides in the Dales and North York Moors. Then go South to the Peak District, Snake Pass etc. Or you can go West/South West to the Pennines, Holme Moss etc

Any direction you'll be in gorgeous countryside. Then in the evenings you can eat out/drink in Leeds

rhext

Another vote for Scotland. Caledonian sleeper is an excellent way of getting there and back and well worth checking out!