Active Pursuits

Biking

In principal you can cycle from Glasgow east to Edinburgh, west to the Clyde coast, and north to Loch Lomond and beyond to Inverness using the national cycle routes. They combine off-road paths and on-road lanes, the latter of which are sometimes poorly marked. The tourist office, however, provides maps with overviews and details.

Rentals are available off Byres Road at West End Cycles, 16-18 Chancellor St. (tel. 0141/357-1344; Underground: Hillhead or Kelvinhall; bus: 9 or 18). It is close to the National Cycle Trail that leads to Loch Lomond and rents bikes well-suited to the hilly terrain of Glasgow and surrounding areas. The cost is £15 ($28) per day, and a cash deposit of £100 ($185) or the imprint of a valid credit card is necessary as security. In the city center, Alpine Bikes, in the TISO Outdoor Centre, 50 Couper St., near Buchanan Bus Station (tel. 0141/552-8575), offers limited cycle rental. Prices start at £8 ($15).

Golf

The city of Glasgow operates five municipal golf courses, of a reasonable standard. The best-kept 18-hole courses are probably the 5,005-yard Linn Park, on the Southside (tel. 0141/633-0337), and 6,364-yard Littlehill, north of the city center (tel. 0141/772-1916). Two 9-hole courses are Alexandra Park, Alexandra Parade (tel. 0141/556-1294), and Knightswood, Lincoln Avenue (tel. 0141/959-6358). None have dress codes, and greens fees are modest: £10 ($19) adult and £5 ($9) juvenile between 5 and 17 during the week for 18-hole courses and about half those rates for the 9-hole courses. For additional information, log onto www.glasgow.gov.uk.

Of course, Glasgow has private clubs and around the city are a host of more courses. Southwest of Glasgow, Ayrshire offers the best concentration of links-style golf in the country.

Sports Complexes, Gyms & Pools

Kelvin Hall International Sports Arena is on Argyle Street (tel. 0141/357-2525; Underground: Kelvinhall), near the River Kelvin. This is the country's major venue for national and international indoor sports competitions; check with the tourist office for any events scheduled for the time of your visit. The facility is open daily with a weight room and fully equipped gym.

Scotstoun Leisure Centre, further west on Danes Drive (tel. 0141/959-4000; bus: 9), offers a gym, indoor and outdoor tennis, and a five-lane pool. In the East End, Tollcross Park Leisure Centre (tel. 0141/763-2345; bus: 61) has the city's 50m (164-ft.), Olympic-size swimming pool. For hours, admission, and further information, log onto www.glasgow.gov.uk.