I'm looking to head to the Lakes for the first time so looking for 2 day-rides (something between 25-35 miles) and ideally near a hostel to stay in.
There are just far to many routes out there to make looking easy, so what areas can you recommend?
I'll be with an inexperienced mountainbiker and I'll be riding fully rigid so I'd err on the side of long smooth descents rather than something utterly technical, but anything is considered.
Borrowdale bash 1 day, and stay at borrowdale, derwent water or Keswick yha.
I'd say the Borrowdale Bash probably qualifies as "utterly technical"... certainly doesn't include many long smooth descents.
The Skiddaw House / Latrigg loop from Keswick would be a good option in the north Lakes.
Wide choice of options in the south - always a good day out to get the chain ferry across the lake from Bowness, along the shore path then over Claife to Hawkshead and Grizedale, back again through Sawrey.
Borrowdale Bash looks great fun from the first 2 mins of this video > http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1716150657138798959#
I'd love give that a try but not sure my friend would be quite so enthusiastic. Technical climbs and traverses like that bit are no problem without suspension, but the rocky descents you see later in the vid can be a bit painful!
How does the scenery compare across the North/South/different areas of the Lakes?
Are there any areas to avoid? Windermere too busy for example?
Head out round Claife and Grizedale, lots of lovely singletrack, nice views and LOADS of trails to choose from. Can pretty much base it on the North Face Trail but extend it over towards Parkamoor or Claife Heights. Pick a trail and follow your nose!
There aren't really many long smooth descents in the Lakes!
In Grizedale there is a good descent that goes down to the right past Lawson Park - nice and smooth and flowy. As mentioned Lonscale (apart from one very rocky bit) and Latrigg would be a good option near Keswick.
Something including Loughrigg Terrace would also be good. That's about all I can think of for relatively smooth flowy stuff 
There is some nice stuff round Kentmere and Longsleddale that's not too extreme - better if it's been dry.
edit: Claife is a good shout too - I would not say Borrowdale Bash is a good plan for the inexperienced
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