Ready, set, go. On your bikes Glasgow

When I asked an official from Glasgow Life, the body that manages the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome why that is, he fired back with an unexpected and funny response: “We can’t all afford getaway cars.”

That’s typical Glasgow humour. The city believes so much in its people that they have invested in the marketing slogan: “People make Glasgow.” And it certainly is a truism.

I spent five days in Glasgow as the city celebrated one year to go before some 4500 athletes from 71 nations take part in 17 sports over 11 days at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Glasgow, already recognised as one of the top 10 sporting cities in the world, has embraced The Games in a big way. The city, and The Games, are a perfect fit.

“Glasgow can make The Games very important,” John Sharkey, one of the venue group chief executives, said.

“The scale of the city and the scale of The Games overlap quite nicely. People will come out and support the home team. Glasgow tends to be a more raucous audience – in a good way.”

Expectations are riding high

Right now The Games are the talk of the town and after the Wimbledon success of Andy Murray, Scottish sporting pride and expectations are riding at a high.

Six-time Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy – the man with the biggest thighs in the world – is one of The Games’ ambassadors and was very much the face of “one year to go” celebrations.

I got to ride a very slow lap around the velodrome that bears his name – one of the new facilities that will host Games events. The final touches are also being applied to the 12,000 seat Hydro, the Tollcross International Swimming centre while work will begin on turning Hampden Park – home of Scottish football – into a track and field venue.

“Sport is already higher on the agenda for the city, with a number of new venues open for business and meeting a public demand,” Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said. “They are set up to host elite competition but, importantly, are also community relevant. The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, within the Emirates Arena, is buzzing with users, the public eager to experience a cycling facility which has never existed before in the country.”

Celtic Park will host The Games’ opening ceremony on July 23. Tickets are on sale now and have been kept at affordable levels.

The perfect Glasgow base

Built in 1823, the building used to be home to the Royal Scottish Automobile Club before a lavish renovation turned it into a modern 5-star boutique 100-room hotel staffed by friendly Glaswegians. There’s no doubting where you are when you stay at this hotel.

The Blythswood could well be the poster child for Glasgow’s dramatic urban renewal process that has occurred over the past decade. Like the rest of the city, this precinct has rebuilt itself as chic and modern.

“Keep the traditional Scottish feel while introducing an urban appeal,” was the brief from the Blythswood Square hotel’s owners when they commissioned Harris Tweed to create a fabric that would become the essence of the hotel.

This is the first time that Harris Tweed has been used for a prestigious interior since the QE2 was commissioned in the early 1960s.

“Blythswood Square is such an iconic building in Glasgow that it was important we acknowledged its history while moving gently into the 21st century,” Peter Taylor OBE, Chairman of the Townhouse Collection which owns the property, said.

“The range of Harris Tweed is very subtle and sophisticated and we‟re delighted with the look.”

It took one hundred home weavers six months to complete the project.

Galleries hold the city’s treasures

No trip to Glasgow is complete unless you immerse yourself in the legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The architect and designer was one of the city’s most important residents. Mackintosh is recognised widely as one of the most creative men of the early 20th century.

Mackintosh is one of Glasgow’s treasures and today his talents are better recognised than ever.

Born in 1868, his collaborations with wife Margaret Macdonald, an artist and talented designer in her own right, can be seen throughout the city. Mind you, you have to know where to look.

A good starting point is to sign up for a Glasgow School of Art City Walking Tour. You will learn about Mackintosh’s contribution to the international Art Nouveau movement. Make sure you stop at The Lighthouse, which now is the centre for design and architecture.

It is the first building attributed to Mackintosh and the first where you can see glimpses of his brilliance. Then it’s on to The Willow Tea Rooms, the Queen’s Cross Church and The Glasgow School of Art itself. This is worth a visit just to browse the souvenir shop.

Celebrate the past

I am a great believer in leaving the best until last. And with Mackintosh that means a farewell visit to the “House for an Art Lover”. It was designed in 1901 for a German interior design magazine competition but not built until 1996. The gardens are stunning. The interior of the house is confronting and comforting at the same time.

Glasgow very much celebrates its past, making it a haven for museum lovers and the good news is that it’s free to get in to most exhibitions.

Take one of Glasgow School of Art City Walking Tours or discover Glasgow’s galleries.

The Riverside Museum was named as the 2013 European Museum of the Year. It houses more than 3000 transport-related exhibits including a South African locomotive.

Another worth a visit is the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It is home to Dali’s controversial painting, The Christ of St John of the Cross.

Glasgow’s third great love – after sport and history – is food. And when it comes to eating, this city has a surprising love for curry.  No place serves a better chicken korma than Mr Singh’s India in Elderslie St. If you’d rather go up-market try Chardon d’Or (176 West Regent St).  Brian Maule, previously head chef at Roux Brothers’ Le Gavroche in London, has been open here for business since 2001.