I'm dropping my wife off in Swinton/Pendlebury tomorrow and have about 6 hours to kill. Any recommendations for a direction/destination to head for a ~80/100km ride, I'll be on the gravel bike. Don't mind a bit of across town riding but it'd be good to get out into the countryside/hills and I'm not familiar with that part of the country at all. Thanks!
Head out the other side of Bolton onto the pennies
Over to Phillips park, could make a decent route from there along the old canals etc
Phillips park is a good call, can link into Clifton Country park.
If you want something easy to navigate then get on the Bridgewater canal (Swinton Greenway into Monton) go towards Wigan, in Wigan options of going right at the T-junction just over the metal bridge up 18 locks towards Haigh Country park and Preston or turn left after the metal bridge and follow the now Leeds Liverpool canal (past football stadium) to Parbold. Parbold has excellent cafe 'Yours is the earth' on your left as you get to the bridge (approx 40km from Monton). Or cross the bridge if you want to go further. Looks like mostly tailwind on the return! Wherever you end up going enjoy your ride!