You could try a route through Middleton, Rochdale, Whitworth, Bacup and into Burnley. Or from Rochdale, you could go Littleborough, Todmorden and over Cliviger (which used to be the start of the late and much-missed West Pennine 200 km Audax ride route.)

Hey Siri, show me the difference between living in the south of France, and living in Manchester (he writes, pulling his winter coat over his thick sweater)