Which Bike Would You Recommend

[Norm]

I've nothing against flat bars, I went for flats when I planned a long trip 20-years ago and I still ride that bike regularly.

I'd avoid suspension, though, as tyres above 32mm render it fairly unnecessary off road and it is always a pain on the road. Suspenders on cheaper bikes are usually pretty heavy (that Viking is over 16kg!), rarely work well off road and are a lot of weight and complexity to carry on the tarmac. My son has a Specialized Sirrus, similar spec to the Viking but rigid and 6kg lighter, CX-styled tyres would be faster on and (arguably) off the road! If you can find a 2011 model, it would be cheaper than the Viking too.

 

[Psyclist]

I was on about a touring style hybrid which is why I recommended the Viking it's going ot be a tad heavy as it has suspension and is near enough a touring style bike, but you have a good point Norm.

 

[Tomba]

(I've owned two EBC Revolution bikes, both great, taking one to Scotland to ride NCN7 in May)

NCN7 passes by my house (well within 200 yards) and I use the path and roads quite a lot.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

IMO, you want a road bike with 700c wheels, 32-35mm tyres, disc brakes, relatively tall front end and "relaxed" geometry. I would go for dropped bars, because you get 6 hand positions compared to only 2 or 3 on flat bars, even with bar ends. I would also go for a CX-styled bike or a tourer, as Greg linked to above, with greater clearances for wider tyres and lugs for rack and mudguards.

One of these perhaps....

Though they've only small ish ones left.

 

[akb]

If you go for a hybrid, add bar ends to give you more hand rest opportunity, you'll be glad of that on a long ride ;-)

+1 to that. Best upgrade I have done to the Hybrid. My advice is a hybrid, ive comfortably done 60 miles on my old Trek T10 hybrid, and this was before the bar ends

 

[Speedywheelsjeans]

This ... http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-da2-2012/

You'll be home in time for dinner!

Its quite dependant on your age, what you have ridden in the past, whether you care about you image, your level of bike 'snobbery' and what your as a person look for in a bike?
I would say something stiff, but comfortable, multiple hand positions, low gearing for endurance and something you will enjoy riding.