Overnighter from Leeds

Train to Skipton or Settle, ride over towards Malham or beyond (loads of gravel routes), maybe even aim for the Dales Bike Centre as a place to stop and then head back via a different route, pick up the train and back to Leeds?

Dales is superb for road riding if you're into it, just make sure to get off the main-ish roads (happy to add details if you want)

Loads of big epic moorland stuff in the Dales too, a lot of which is fine on a gravel bike but, despite the lack of technicality, is imo far better on an mtb (rigid or short travel XC hardtail both perfect)

The Dales bike centre prob the place to go if you want something more enduro -- I've never been though

As above, head over to Skipton then plot a route around the Dales.

I used to ride out from Leeds to the dales via Ilkley/Bolton Abbey quite a lot, once you're out Grassington sort of way the world, well the Dales, is your oyster.

If my brother lived in Oz and was coming over, I'd take him on the Leeds - Liverpool canal ride mainly because I don't like him. Definitely don't do that if you get on with your brother...

I used to ride out from Leeds to the dales via Ilkley/Bolton Abbey quite a lot, once you’re out Grassington sort of way the world, well the Dales, is your oyster.

I walked from Meanwood to Windermere once on the Dales Way. Got the train back. Would be much quicker on a bike.

I did a 90 mile road circuit of the Dales last week which was great. Several variations are possible taking in a good number of the climbs. A big day for me, you can conveniently break at dales bike centre if you prefer (which my wife and I did the first time we tried this loop a few years ago).

We did a North Yorks Moors gravel overnighter a few years back. Train from Leeds to Thirsk. Day 1, over the Moors to the coast, bivvied just off the Cinder trail. Day 2, more modest ride to Malton, train back to Leeds.

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/28IPgiPJbDb

Check out my activity on Strava: https://strava.app.link/EYKNfG0JbDb

For god sake don't waste your time going up the Leeds Liverpool Canal and back!

I'd use the train too as per posters above to get to the better bits quicker.

Dales, or Moors, your choice, can't go wrong really.

Imagine flying halfway around the world and then getting dragged along the canal towards Burnley!

My advice - check prevailing wind and then use the train to ride either N-S from Kirkby Stephen towards Settle/Skipton or S-N along a similar route. Your booked halfway spot can be the same for either route.

Another great one I did this year not mentioned above:

Train to stalybrige
Canals south via Marple to New Mills
Sett Valley Trail to Hayfield
Roych clough

Stay overnight somewhere around hope/edale/castleton

Over stannage edge then down into Sheffield via porter Clough / Endcliffe park in the morning

Train back.

Alternative to Sheffield is up ladybower and over cut gate into penistone or Barnsley

Really fantastic route. Start in industrial historical grot in Stalybrige then ride out into the hills.
Can be either kept easyish and done as a gravel route (some bits of roych clough a bit spicy) or you could make it as technical as you like for fs mtb.

I'd probably do it on an xc bike and take in medium difficulty tracks.

DM me if you want some Strava links or gpxes

Why has nobody suggested that you go and do a couple of rides in the Lake District?

Because if you're going by train (and your own pedal power) the options are limited and the Dales is obviously full of great choices regardless of taste.

Lakes can be done...

https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/bit-of-a-lakes-adventure-weekend-pictures-addendum/

It was a bit of a stretch though... having reflected it would be better over 3 days then you could do more classic lakes tech

Take a look at the routes from the Calder Divide Challenge which happened this weekend and ended up coming round the south side of Leeds but then heading west into some proper good hills as well.

Excellant event it was as well with gravel and MTB at different lengths and seriousness

Where in Leeds would you start from, the center? For a real mix-of-everything adventure I'd take the train past Skipton to Dent (going over the Ribblehead viaduct) explore the Dales bridleways which start about 1 mile from the station, overnight in Malham or Kettlewell YHA then back over Embsay Moor then towards Ikley via the back road. If you've had enough by then you can get train back to Leeds, otherwise over the moor to Riddlesden and then back on the canal to Leeds - really the canal is still quite nice and easy now it's been resurfaced, I know some locals can be a bit jaded about these things but a visitor may still find the industrial heritage interesting.

just done the LLC over the weekend, its a bit dull can only take so much run down towns, of old mills, bridges and dog walkers..

Some great ideas thanks, need a while to process!

Would be starting north west leeds just outside (can get to shipley or leeds train station easy enough)

We've decided on a road ride trip from Dent / Kirkby Stephen.

Any GPX/route suggestions out there? Route planning is not my forte!

Wind direction is key. From Dent Station, NCN 68 down the valley is good. Going south, climbs over Deepdale and down Kingsdale to Ingleton, or via Barbondale; through to Clitheroe via Slaidburn for the train home. Going north, the minor roads round the west side of the Howgills from Sedbergh to Tebay are nice.

But personally I wouldn't restrict myself to roads. 24 hour overnighter out of Dent station last month:
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Met no cyclists, two walkers, just a couple of cars on the short stretches of tarmac I couldn't eliminate from the route.

That looks lovely but doesn't look like a road trip. I'd be interested in more details of where you went on that one.

What sort of distance? My 90-miler would be just a touch harder taking in Dent station. Dales Bike Centre still a decent mid-way stop. Other accommodation exists, of course.

It's hard to go wrong really.

https://www.strava.com/activities/9842630535

Yeah that loop looks good as does the dale bike centre - thanks for sharing.

May borrow that route but then head back into leeds via grassington/Bolton abbey on day 2