Cardiff vs Manchester vs Leeds

Born and bred in Manchester. Spent a fair amount of time in and around Leeds. Moved to Cardiff 15 years ago and wouldn’t go back to either of the others. As others have said – if you like to ride and/or spend any quality time in/at the sea, it’s the only choice of the three. You’ll also have a massive amount of fun trying to work out what the **** half the population are saying for a year or two.

Main thing about Cardiff is as mentioned – the large number and high standard of amenities there compared to other cities of that size. Because it’s the capital you get the Welsh National this and that, which brings in money both in terms of grants etc and visitors. The fact it’s the biggest city in Wales and the closest to London means you get a lot of businesses located there which again brings money. Then there are various grants for deprived areas which still seem to be coming in. Then add in the fact that the transport links to the Valleys are good, so they act like extended suburbs supplying commuters and shoppers that don’t actually swell the city. The geography keeps these places separate.

Upshot is the facilities of a big city without the large size. Traffic isn’t really a problem (even though the locals moan, but then locals always do – my Dad complains bitterly about traffic going through Hereford if he has to wait 2 traffic light cycles by the bridge) and I don’t recognise the tales of driving aggro that people keep coming out with on here.

The riding from the city is good, but not the best in the UK. But far from the worst. The road riding isn’t too great I must say – not bad, but not that good.

Some suburbs (like anywhere) are a bit soulless, and the busses from the further suburbs are bad so you have to drive which is a pain. Only takes 25 mins though. However there are some great places to live in the closer suburbs – nice 1920s terraces with parks and local shops etc – I rather like them. Not expensive either. And you can walk to the city centre in 20 mins.

The fact it’s only 2 hours from London or Heathrow is pretty useful too, certainly for my work. When I move from here it’ll be to a small country town.

Main thing about Cardiff is as mentioned – the large number and high standard of amenities there compared to other cities of that size. Because it’s the capital you get the Welsh National this and that, which brings in money both in terms of grants etc and visitors. The fact it’s the biggest city in Wales and the closest to London means you get a lot of businesses located there which again brings money. Then there are various grants for deprived areas which still seem to be coming in. Then add in the fact that the transport links to the Valleys are good, so they act like extended suburbs supplying commuters and shoppers that don’t actually swell the city. The geography keeps these places separate.
Upshot is the facilities of a big city without the large size. Traffic isn’t really a problem (even though the locals moan, but then locals always do – my Dad complains bitterly about traffic going through Hereford if he has to wait 2 traffic light cycles by the bridge) and I don’t recognise the tales of driving aggro that people keep coming out with on here.

The riding from the city is good, but not the best in the UK. But far from the worst. The road riding isn’t too great I must say – not bad, but not that good.

Some suburbs (like anywhere) are a bit soulless, and the busses from the further suburbs are bad so you have to drive which is a pain. Only takes 25 mins though. However there are some great places to live in the closer suburbs – nice 1920s terraces with parks and local shops etc – I rather like them. Not expensive either. And you can walk to the city centre in 20 mins.

The fact it’s only 2 hours from London or Heathrow is pretty useful too, certainly for my work. When I move from here it’ll be to a small country town. Thanks that’s very helpful, How come the road cycling isn’t that good?

Cardiff is surrounded to the North by the Valleys, and to the East by Newport. East of Newport is lovely, but you have to go through Newport to get there. Not a huge deal, but it’s the last 8-10 miles of your ride. To the West is the Vale of Glamorgan which is ok, but unless you live in West Cardiff you have to go through Cardiff to get there – and it’s not a huge area of virgin countryside.

The uppser Valleys have some great (in fact absolutely classic) climbs, but mostly it’s dual carriageway bypasses, parked up streets of terraced houses, or insanely steep lanes leading onto the top of the mountains. As I said it’s not BAD, but it’s not great. Having said that I don’t think Manchester fares any better for road – possibly worse. I used to live in Didsbury and getting out to the Peak for a road ride took an hour of heavy urban riding!

The best way to ride in the Valleys is with a CX bike or something like my Salsa, built to cover miles. You can do a really good 50/50 mix road and off-road. There are loads of tracks all over the mountains with beautiful high impact views, but they don’t link up. So my rigid 29er is ideal – covers the road miles easily and quickly but still does the trails.

If I want a good road ride I can pick some stuff out from the more rural bits of the Valleys, or for a long one I do Monmouthshire or head up to do the classics up North. But that ends up being 100km+ 🙂

Sounds good

Most of the nicer bits of Leeds are north of the city, and mostly outside the outer ring road. Which coincides nicely with most of the decent off road riding, which gets better the further northwest you get, imho.
Great for shopping if that’s your thing – plenty of city centre parking (not all that cheap mind, £3/hr except the Merrion Centre at weekends, £1/hr for the first 3 hours ) and the CBD is really very compact.
Good music scene too, and now the Arena is open, good sized artists have a decent venue to play.

The Loop is not that difficult once you get used to it. Airport is nicer than Manchester Airport IMO – and easier to get to except by train – although granted not as many destinations.