Well I am up in Yorkshire so I can't join you I'm afraid. I have recently taken up cycling and use either a trekking bike or a mountain bike. I also had a go at roller skiing, using the skating technique.
Skating restricts you because there are fewer places to go as you need a good surface. The topic of the regulars seemed to be almost exclusively, where to skate. Cycling however is something you can do on your own, there are loads of nice places to go and you get to meet many cyclists to chat to. You don't have to don the lycra, put on a grim face and set out to knock 10 secs off your PB, you can cycle for fun, preferably off road. I went across Hatfield Moor on Saturday and loved it so much, I ended up at a
Buddist Learning centre and had a long chat with a Tibetan Monk. There's all sorts of things to be discovered, including inner enlightenment.
Today I went on the Rother Valley cycleway. 16 miles there and back with a cafe at either end. Lots of people to say hello to, you're never alone.
Have a look at the
Sustrans Site and see what traffic free routes are in your area. Also, check out local clubs for 'social riding', rather than those who want to do 80 mile sunday runs - unless you are into that sort of torture.
Good luck!