[Jools]

Distance doesn't come into it for me it's the weather that dictates leather or textile.

Basically:

Weather dry (or only a shower or two) and warmer than around 10 degrees = Leather

Weather wet and/or colder than 10 degrees = Nice warm, dry Belstaff Goretex

My thinking is that you're pretty well protected by the armour in textile stuff and you'll probably be going steadier when it's cold or wet. Up the pace a bit on a dry road and leather is what I'd want - vented stuff if it's really hot