Hey guys

Imagine being in a job interview and being asked 'so why do you want to move to Leeds?', giving a slight rye smile and then answering 'mountain biking'.  Well that's what I did, tehe!! I further qualified it by saying, 'well I currently live in Peterborough and there aren't many hills there' . And I got the job

So I need Leeds information.... Anyone live in the area?   Where's good to live? where's good to go out? where are the decent trails? Is anyone up for showing me around?.....

Cheers

Vix

p.s. this seems like a good excuse for a party

Congratulations.

I've been advised NOT to say that's the reason that I would like a job!!!!!!!!........ there must have been a mountain biker on the panel!

All the best with house hunting and discovering trails around Leeds :0) 

Hi, You wont to go for North Leeds.  The trails are right on your doorstep, Then theres NLs you can go out with. I'm sure Mrs D will come along and agree. A few of us llive round Moortown,Allwoodley,Otley.

As for going out well you name it and it will be about somewhere.

Or south of Leeds.... I live in the countryside between Wakefiled/Huddersfield/Barnsley  and Holmfirth and have soem great locla bridleways  and woods for evening/shortish rides (but can be up to several hours)   from my back door. About 45 mins to Ladybower for Peak District riding, less than an hour to Sherwood Pines or Otley, N Peaks/Holme Moss etc 20 mins down road.  Yorks Dales (N of Leeds) a bit further, but do-ablefor a day.

SouthLeeds itself (rather than south of Leeds) is very urban and a bit grim. It sort of segues straight into Wakefield, with little countryside or open space in between.

A word of warning - N Leeds is relatively expensive to rent/buy  and could be prohibitivley so. 

Are you still working for the EA ? If you are and you're going to Phoenix House then S Leeds, South of Leeds (Wakefield/Barnsley) are easier to get to Phoenix from, and certainly easier on an EA salary!

As for going out, I'd love to, but advancing pregnancy means I'm nbot really getting out much myself!

Cool, thanks guys!

Alice - I will be leaving the EA (OMG!!), ten years is a long time to work for the same organisation. 

I'll be working in central Leeds and am thinking of commuting by train or bike rather than living right in Leeds itself.

Oh, the idea of so many trails on practically on my doorstep, I can't wait!

yeah I live in Leeds - North Leeds actually.  There  are loads of trails in and about Leeds - a lot of cheeky ones!

Going out - city centre is best bet. There's Chapel Allerton which is pretty good for going out for the let's say late twenty to late thirties types... bus ride and not far to city centre, also near to north ring road which has access to some excellent trails!

When are you moving up/coming up to look around?? Give me a shout if you want any more info.

North Leeds Mtb "club" is on Bikemagic.com.  It's a very male based group, but friendly etc...   the pace is pretty good, but they will never leave anyone behind.  There's MOtleycrew who are girlies and meet first Sunday of the month, and I believe they are a bit more steady paced....though I haven't actually been out with them...

Country round Mirfield (Hopton)  is lovely, have ridden round there a few times.   Agree with Dude, you want to get more than 3 or 4 miles from city centre. Dewsbury is not a bad compromise of OK/price/access to riding, and has direct train to city centre, but a bit grim (sorry to any Dewsbury-ites).

Otley/Ilkely/Burley/Adel/Cookridge and pretty much everywhere in N Leeds is lovely, ace country side but v pricey.  Actually, I think Ilkley is actually in Bradford. Ilkely is on the train to Leeds too.  

Chapel Allerton (still N Leeds) is also nice, and used to be a bit cheaper, 

Headingly and Hyde Park are student-ville.

Kirkstall is a bit grim, bit OK if pushed.

Bit further out, Horsforth is nice  too.

South of Leeds - Wakefileld has nice areas (Sandal, Durkar, Crigglestone, Stanley, Methley, St Johns)  and the villages between Huddersfield and Wakefileld (where I live, Denby Dale area) are popular Leeds commuter villages (but unless you;re prepared to drive to works and park, then check out buses and trains first).  

Loads of guys I work with are climbers and mtbers and live in Sheffiled for Peak proximity (and fab doorstep riding)  and commute to Leeds. 

Huddersfiled is cheap, not bad and has direct train to Leeds.  Edgerton, Marsh, Almondbury are not bad areas.  M62 into Leeds from Hudds is hell on earth at rush hour though. 

Places described as "Leeds/Bradford" - Rodley, Pudsey, Cookridge, Guisely are nice. 

Shipley - not too bad, contains world heritage site Saltaire Village and Salts Mill, lots of trains to Leeds and easy access to Yorks Dales. 

I grew up in Alwoodley, North Leeds, although live in Manchester now. I'd go for Moortown, Alwoodley, Chaperl Allerton, Roundhay (but then I'm biased).

If your young and like going out for a drink Chapel Allerton is lovely, although its going a bit posh and ££.

I'd avoid the city centre like the plague (but then again thats because I hate all the empty soul-less "luxury apartment" blocks that have popped up everywhere).

My last day at 'the Agency' is Friday and I don't start my new job until 1 July so I have a month to play!  I'm not moving straight away as I'll initially be spending some time at my new place's London office.  But I'll be up for arranging some cheeky rides soon, when I'm up in Leeds more often.

I'm thinking north leeds by all your recommendations and some other people's ideas, I really don't want to live in the centre of Leeds and I completely agree about the 'luxury' apartment blocks.  As I'm doing a big move I want it to be absolutely right for me so I'm going to take my time finding the right place.

Cheers all