Grit & Glimmer

Photoglimmer: Those Red Shoes

Posted by Heidi Swift on Mar 28, 2013 in Full Width, Photos, Quickies | 3 comments

Standing in what politicians call Spain, looking north into what politicians call France. Truth is, we were neither place. On top of this watchtower on our way to a mountain bike ride that would remain one of my all time favorites for years to come, we were squarely in the middle of Basque Country. Just [...]

14 Years for Marriage Equality

Posted by Heidi Swift on Mar 27, 2013 in Life | 4 comments

Everyone is talking about marriage equality. Again. I remember the last time this happened in a significant way for me. The Knight Initiative, Prop 22 in 2000. In California. Again. I was Co-President of Seattle University’s Triangle Club at that time. I remember lobbying so hard and sending so many emails and having so many [...]

PhotoGlimmer: Camp N Ride

Posted by Heidi Swift on Mar 27, 2013 in Cycling, Featured, Full Width | 2 comments

Mile 19. You pointed to the left and said, “Look at that road.” It was the straight kind that goes into forever and then keeps going a little further. Farm road. Quiet. Looked suspiciously like it might turn into gravel. (It did.) We turned off the highway and pedaled out toward the horizon. We did [...]

Backlit Chaos: Tumalo Mountain

Posted by Heidi Swift on Mar 26, 2013 in Full Width, Life | 2 comments

Twenty-six degrees and sun rising in bright white claws that get longer as they come at us over the peak of the mountain. You forgot your goggles and so did I. You forgot your windproof outer layer and so did I. You forgot to bring the miniature thermos of tea and so did I. At [...]

Last Call for InGamba Chianti Women’s Trip

Posted by Heidi Swift on Mar 25, 2013 in Cycling, Full Width | 2 comments

When I dream of 2012, I dream of Chianti. Never mind that long ride around France – I left my heart in the sweeping vineyards and charming restaurants and tiny streets of Tuscany. I count myself endlessly lucky to be able to go back and take a few food-bike-and-wine loving ladies with me. Lecchi will [...]

This is Worth Your Time: Support the Afghan Women’s Cycling Team

Posted by Heidi Swift on Mar 18, 2013 in Life | 5 comments

Yes, you read that headline right. A women’s national cycling team is beginning to take shape in Afghanistan. We talk a lot about inviting more women to join the cycling party. About empowering women to pedal and explore and race and just go for it. In so many ways this project in Afghanistan symbolizes, in [...]