When are you moving up here?
As it goes this year is a great year to be up in Preston as its the Preston Guild year so the whole city id getting behind it with loads of events going on. Main week of it is 1st week in September which will be busy.
I live in Grimsargh which is just the other (good) side of the M6 from preston out East.
Echo what other people say, nice and close for plenty of good mountain biking. Longridge fell, Grindleton Fell, Darwen Moor, Rivvi, and Lakes are just about an hour away.
Lots of Roadies about going out through the trough of bowland. Given the weather that we tend to get if you are wanting a quick evening ride then the roadie is a safer bet.
If your looking for digs I would recommend looking outside the centre, Its dead easy to get into by bike (even car isnt that bad) and the areas to live are much nicer.
If you want to know anything else email in profile.
Edit: Wo Wo Wo what wrong with a night out in Preston? Theres a lot of good real ale pubs in a small area so you dont have to trek to far between pints in the rain!