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range from a six-mile hill grind for fit families to the Dual Descender, where parallel tracks and red technical terrain allow for some white-knuckle downhills. Sherwood Pines ----~ of London via the Ml motorway. You can rent bikes for all ages and abilities Centre; www.cycleweb.co.uk/cntys/mid/mid2.htm. in other parts of Europe, Ambleside's Coffin Trail is a popular path for f it first-timers. The trail passes through some of the region's typical green-slate scenery-the tranquil shores of Lake Grasmere, sharp screes and dramatic high terraces. The Lake District is also among the country's finest walking regions, featuring some breathtaking mountain and lakescape vistas. Ambleside is northeast of London via the Ml and M6 motorways. The Coffin Trail route starts near the town's Rock & Run mountain-equipment store (www.rockrun.com). which can help with maps, gear and advice. sprawling Peak District draws mountaineers from around the world , edale is one of the best spots for those seeking a wide variety of climbs in a single area. Situated on a mixture of limestone types, the valley's walls offer a range of traditional and sporting climbs, from the highly compact water-washed walls of the Cornice and Two Tier Buttress to more open sections such as the Lifts and the Embankment. The best time to visit the valley is early May to September (due to water seepage, Cheedale's cliffs are largely unsafe for climbing in winter). Cheedale is northeast of London via the Ml motorway. The Outside store (www.outside.co.uk), in nearby Hathersage, can provide advice and assistance for climbers new to the area. 11 II SPELUNK THE CATHEDRAL-LIKE CAVES OF CHEDDAR GORGE The cathedral-like caves of Cheddar Gorge in Somerset's Mendhip Hills are the biggest accessible caverns in the UK. Formed from million-year-old I ce Age river beds, the region has attracted vacationing Londoners since the Victorian era. Avoid the postcard-and- souvenir crowd and take the one-hour underground to ur, led by National Caving Association-certified guides. Tour groups climb, crawl, squeeze and lifeline through wild caves with names like Black Cat, Mushroom Chamber and the ominously named Bottomless Pit, all teeming with stalactites and stalagmites. Cheddar Gorge is southwest of London via the MS motorway. For underground-tour information, visit www.cheddarcaves.co.uk. PEAK (ER, HILL) BAG IN THE LAKE DISTRICT I f your idea offun is scrambling up rock-strewn hills while bent double into wind and rain, fellrunning may be your dream activity-and Ambleside, in the center of the stunning Lake District, is among the best UK locations to experience it . Known as hillrunning II SURF CORNWALL Cornwall is the UK's Surf City, with rideable swells at more than 100 closely linked beaches, including Penhale, Droskyn and Holywell Bay. While anyone is free to surf this craggy coastline solo, those looking for a board buddy and insider info should head to the National Surfing Centre (www.nationalsurfingcentre.com) at North Fistral Beach in Newquay. Owned and operated by the British Surfing Association, the centre can arrange equipment, coaches and even accommodation for surfers of all abilities. Newquay is southwest of London via the M3 and MS motorways. For a real-time view of the waves visit www.newquay.com/newquay/surfing/fistral-surfcam.html . GETTING THERE To download detailed road directions to any of these destinations, go to http:/rp.rac.co.uk/routeplanner. For National Express bus routes and service, visit www.nationalexpress.co.uk. NEW: URBAN ACCESS ONLINE mBLUE.COM If you're not headed to London, check out other urban adventures accessible from NYC, LA, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle and more! You' ll never have another "stuck-in-the-city" weekend. 75