I would recommend doing Skipton first off. It is early, so gives you the bug for the summer, close to home, the swim is in a pool which makes life a lot easier/less scary for a beginner.

Doing a pool based sprint will give you a feeling of transitions which are key in a sprint without the added worry of getting a wetsuit off etc.

Failing that over the hill is Todmorden which although the bike is and out and back on the 'main road', it is pretty picturesque, and the road isnt that busy at all. This was pretty cheap too

Hi, another early season sprint distance triathlon is Tadcaster.

Check Paul Drinkwater's website:

http://www.pdsportsmanagement.co.uk/e...

Good luck. I loved my first season which was filled with lots of sprint distances, including some open water ones. If you want some more recommendations give me a shout and I can give you the benefit of my (in)experience .

Nathalie