My birthday is 20th december so the girlfriend and I were thinking of a long weekend riding in wales. Till I read the lakes article on the front page and am re-thinking. I'm from gloucestershire and was planning on doing afan, brechfa, cwm rheader, nant-y-arian and coed-y-brenin. Have done all apart from nant-y-arian before so what areas should I consider riding in the lakes? And what hostels will be open 19th-21st to stay in? Dad is from the lakes so can get a bit of info from him but does anyone have any thoughts?
What OS maps should be used, trail ideas etc etc.

Or should I stick to wales?

If you prefer the trail centre idiom then stick with Wales. If you want to ride authentic ancient trails, pick The Lakes. Don't expect much waymarking though…

The VG Guide is pretty good. Great stuff around Grizedale, Kentmere and Coniston.

Whinlatter is a good trail centres but it's the only one in the Lakes worth doing really. Grizedale has the North Face Trail which is pretty dull but there is loads of great bridleways there.

If I were you, I would stay in Ambleside or Hawkshead. Both have a few pubs, shops & amenities, both within reach of coniston, grizedale, windermere. I'd recommend going up Garburn pass, but there may be some snow at that time of year. There is a lot of nice scenic mountain biking at lower levels round there.

edit: this should give you an idea about possible routes/locations:
http://www.bikemaps.co.uk/lake_district_maps.htm

No i realise that it will all be natural stuff and of course no waymarking but i don't want to head up there with no idea where to start. Just looking for classic routes or areas to stay. ah thanks davey. that was another concern, chances of snow on the routes…

Classic route not to be missed imo – Coniston-Torver-Seathwaite-Coniston via Walna Scar Road.

I think your pretty hard pressed to beat Coniston as a base for lakes riding.

Easy access to Grizedale, Duddon Valley, Elterwater and Ambleside areas all within a days full riding.

IMO the best riding in the lakes is the lower level stuff around the south western lakes, Grizedale, Satterthwate, High Oxen Fell/Skellwith, Claife Heights etc. Given the time of year and what the weather will be like, this area might be the best option anyway.
The riding around there doesn't have the big mountain feel to it that is such a big part of riding in the lakes (the 'big pass' rides like Walna Scar, Nan Bield, High Stile, High Street etc, are all amazing rites de passage type rides, but they could be miserable in fowl weather), but the tracks are great fun, perhaps offering more technical riding, accessible and close to civilization should the sky decide to fall in on your head!
Base yourself in Ambleside (the Ambleside YHA is great, cheap and has family rooms. It also happens to be where i met my wife so it has a special place in my heart!). This will give you access to everything you need including a cinema and a great bike shop. Bike Treks will help you locate the best trails.

http://www.independenthostelguide.co.uk/
http://www.vividevents.co.uk/

OL7 probably covers most of the best

Ambleside probably has the best access to a variety of trails without having to resort to car use to get anywhere imo.

Biketreks and all the other Lakes shops have a selection of pre marked/printed map guides to the best routes in the area.

http://www.vividevents.co.uk/

http://www.ridethelakes.co.uk/cms/

http://www.bogtrotters.org/list_routes.php

http://www.biketreks.net/

but they could be miserable in fowl weather

quack quack :o)

Hawkshead YHA. The 'warden' there is a keen mtb'er (I think – http://www.ridethelakes.com). He'll be able to give you all the info you need. Ambleside and Coniston are then easy to reach and Whinlatter/Keswick is only 40 min drive. Stay Ambleside YHA if you want busier/more amenities. My wife prefers the riding around that area to other stuff in the Lakes – loads of options for shortening/lengthening rides and plenty of cafes.

Good advice above. Also worth calling in to Biketreks in Ambleside for route advice. They know the trails and will know what condition everything is in. Plus they are good people with a very nice shop full of the stuff a birthday boy needs.

2nd Hawkshead, forgot about it. Can bike straight into Grizdale from there.

Staveley
http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/
http://www.wilfs-cafe.co.uk/

Making Ambleside, Kentmere to Staveley and back is a fav of mine

ah brilliant stuff. thanks all. got a good amount of info to think about now.

Can`t fail to have fun 😆

3rd Hawkshead – and it will be so beautiful and christmassy when you go. Don't forget your lights for some fab night riding too 😀

http://www.bogtrotters.org/rideslist.php
Sun 20 Dec Grizedale and environs Moderate
Wed 23 Dec (8pm) Elterwater Easyish
Wed 30 Dec (7.45pm) Ambleside Easy