I'm planning a roadtrip for a mate who is happy with red routes. I'm not familiar with the Lakes /Dales and wondering what is a great place to ride round that way. Not bothered with whether it is natural or man made, in fact non-trail centre would be ideal
Grizedale an option?
Trail centres: Grizedale, Whinlatter, Gisburn are the obvious ones.
More natural stuff in the Lakes and Dales than you could shake a stick at. If you're more specific about your likes (distance/amount of climbing), then someone will suggest something, I'm sure.
Thinking probably 2-3 hours riding at a leisurely pace
There's some good trails down Grizedale way, I wouldn't really bother with the North Face though with the amount of decent, natural stuff there.
Something a bit closer to Kendal would be Staveley, there's a route that goes over Gaburn Pass that would fit the bill.
Have you got a GPS?
Loads and Loads of routes in the Lakes. Whenever I go up and want to get an idea for what rides are where and an idea about length, height, and some piccys I always look here:
[url= http://www.bogtrotters.org/rides/gallery/ ]http://www.bogtrotters.org/rides/gallery/[/url]
+1 for the natural riding around Grizedale. Depending on how 'leisurely' you want to be, you could construct a nice loop from the visitor centre across Parkamoor, Breasty Haw etc.