Recap: Bike to Work Week

I used to ride my bike for work. As a professional triathlete, riding a bike is pretty important to the job equation. I always felt a little silly when "Bike to Work Week" would roll around. If the bike is my work, how do I ride to it? How do I measure the miles of "Bike to Work Week"? Where do the work miles start? Where do they end? When I have I arrived at work?




Fast forward to today. I am now a retired professional triathlete. I still ride regularly, just not as far. Heck, I even participate in races now and again. However, "Bike to Work Week" rolls around and I still feel kind of goofy. I co-own Hypercat Racing with my husband, a legitimate brick and mortar place of business (and work), but I work from home 6 of 7 days a week so I can be with my toddler.


Darn it. How can I do "Bike to Work Week"?

This year, I decided it didn't matter where work was, or that I was working most of the week from home. That meant my "bike to work" started and finished at home. Heck, I'm still working. I'm riding my bike. That qualifies, right?

I rode Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. In the spirit of my pre-baby life and old pro racing days, I rode my bike to the "Law Day 5k" in Ventura, Calif. Old habits die hard!

 I won my age group and set a season best time.

Rachel Sears Casanta is a former professional triathlete, coach and co-owner of Hypercat Racing, an endurance sport coaching and bike fit studio based in Ventura, California. Mom to an energetic toddler, when she is not chasing her son, Rachel is busy helping athletes achieve their goals while herself keeping fit in the water, on the bike and on the run. 

Bike Tech Support at XTERRA Renegade Triathlon & Duathlon

Hypercat Racing is proud to offer bike tech support again this year at the Xterra Renegade Off Road Triathlon and Duathlon at Bonelli Park in San Dimas, CA. 

Look for the Hypercat Racing tent on race morning and Philip Casanta for your last minute bike tech needs. If you left something behind at home don't stress, we've got you covered! Hypercat Racing will have multisport gear, racing supplies and products to help you be as prepared as possible for race day.

About the Xterra Renegade Triathlon and Duathlon

The calm lake and abundant trails make Bonelli Park the perfect setting for the #XTERRA #RenegadeOffRoad Tri. This 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile (2-loop) bike and 3 mile trail run is challenging enough for the seasoned triathlete yet short enough to entice novices. The mountain bike course has a beginner/intermediate rating. The bike course is a mixture of paved roads, fire roads and single track trails. The trail run is hilly with a mixture of paved paths, fire roads and single track trails. XTERRA Renegade participants are eligible for XTERRA Championship points!

Breath of Life Ventura Triathlon - Volunteers Needed!

Event organizers for this year’s Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Triathlon charity fundraiser in Ventura, CA are in need of volunteers.  For the past 16 years, my the LaVigna family has put on a Triathlon in honor of  Dina LaVigna who passed away from Primary Immunodeficiency (PI).  The Breath of Life Triathlon raises money to improve the care and comfort of patients (usually children), with PI.  Previous projects have been at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York, a $750,000 improvement at Mattel’s Children’s Hospital at UCLA, and the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles.  Visit the website at: www.DinaTriForLife.com

This year’s big event is fast approaching. Here are details. Consider inking it in your calendar, volunteering some of your time and supporting the athletes and the cause.

The Breath of Life triathlon will be on the fourth *Sunday of June on the 22rd* inside the *Ventura Harbor*.  There are lots of activities to keep you busy and if you can help, the LaVigna Family we would really, really appreciate it!  They simply could not put on this tremendous fundraising event without the incredible support of our family and friends.

Last year the event hosted nearly 1000 registered athletes and nearly 200 volunteers – and every individual was needed!

Possible tasks include:

-          Registration Packet Distribution Saturday pm and/or Sunday am

-          Swim Course Volunteer

-          Run/Bike Course Volunteer

-          Transition Area Volunteer

-          BBQ Volunteer

-          Parking Area Volunteer


Lots of options and much depends on how soon you’d be able to help in the morning – the earlier the better
If possible there is a need for Saturday volunteers to help setup and/or distribute race packets, from noon – 5pm.

Please contact Ayndrea LaVigna Tyo and let her know if you have a preference for what you’d like to do, or a required start/end time so they can best accommodate your schedule – tasks begin as early as 5am and as you might guess the earlier the harder it is to find volunteers. 

2014 Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Triathlon Ventura

The 16th Annual Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Ventura event is dedicated to the loving memory of Dina LaVigna, a very special person who suffered from a disease called Primary Immunodeficiency (PI). Her family comes together year after year to produce this event in her memory.

Produced by Renegade Racing, the Breath of Life Ventura Triathlon is a local favorite and event that Hypercat Racing is proud to support. One again this year, Hypercat Racing will serve as the official bike tech for the event. Be sure to stop by the Hypercat Racing tent during packet pick-up or on race day for all of your bike and triathlon needs.

RACE WEBSITE

DATE: Sunday, June 22, 2014

START: 7:00 a.m.

PLACE: Ventura Harbor, Ventura, CA 

TRIATHLON DISTANCES:*

SPRINT COURSE Swim: 750 meters (.47 miles) Bike: 20.4 kilometers (12.7 miles) Run: 5 kilometers (3.1 miles)

INTERNATIONAL/RELAY COURSE Swim: 1.5 kilometers (.93 miles) Bike: 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) Run: 10 kilometers (6.2 miles)

* Relay Teams – International Course Only

• Finishers Medals
• Fast, flat and scenic course
• Timing chips for all racers
• Post Race Barbecue for all athletes
• Post Race Beer Garden
• USAT sanctioned race

Mother of All Sales - Special Event - May 10, 2014 - Hypercat Racing

In celebration of Mother's Day, we invite you to join us in-store on online for our first annual "Mother of All Sales" Special Event!

When: Saturday, May 10th, 2014 (online May 10 and May 11th)

Group Ride starts at 8am, departing from Hypercat Racing - 4160 Market St, STE 13, Ventura, CA 93003

Sales & Promotions

• Up to 50% off BH Bikes - 2013 close-outs (limited inventory)
• 20% off Profile Desing wheels and aerobars
• 15% off Cateye products
• 10% off all saddles
• 10% off all Hawk Racing products
• Special pricing on Powermeters
• Close-out clothing - up to 70% off.
• Gear and component  'spring cleaning' - sale of gently used components, bikes, frames and gear

Demo Products

• Demo Foundry Bikes - disc road, cross or Mountain Bike
• Demo Somec road bike
• Demo Profile Design Wheels (58mm and 78mm)
• Recovery Pump system

Launch of Hypercat Racing's Triathlon Club and Hypercat Racing Cycling Club

• Official USA Triathlon and USA Cycling affiliated clubs
• Membership Sign-ups - Be charter members in our new clubs
• Uniform Pre-Orders (Cycling kits, Triathlon kits & running singlets)
• Parents interested in Youth & Junior programming can talk with Rachel

Launch of New Webstore

• To celebrate this weekend's launch of Hypercat Racing's new website we will be running specials throughout the weekend. To stay on top of these time sensitive deals and sales, follow @hypercat on Twitter and 'like' Hypercat Racing on Facebook.

Sampling, Goodies and More

• Products from Powerbar
• Schwag giveaways
• Refreshments and goodies

Product Review: Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin, & Nail Gummies

Today is my final day of doing the Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Challenge. I really like gummies and enjoyed the taste of the Nature's Bounty gummies, so it wasn't hard to remember to take two twice a day! I received a free month's supply to test as a member of Smiley360.

The Nature's Hair, Skin & Nails Bounty Gummies have no artificial flavor, no lactose, no soy, no gluten, no wheat, no yeast, no fish and are sodium free. If you have any dietary restrictions related to those ingredients you are 'all good'.

They have 15 calories per serving (2 Gummies) and have 15mg of vitamin C, 15 IU of vitamin E and 2.5 mg of Biotin. If you are counting carbs, one serving has 4g of carbohydrates. Something I was not happy about...the top two ingredients are corn syrup and sugar. I suppose that makes sense, these are gummies after all. If that is not a deal breaker for you, read on...

My skin is clear and my nails are strong. Admittedly tough to judge the improvement in my hair. It is always in a ponytail, under a swim cap, a bicycle helmet or a swim cap! I did notice less hair in my brush and in the bathtub drain (ack!).  It is hard to give Nature's Bounty all of the credit for healthy hair, skin and nails as that has to do with general healthy living, but I'm sure the gummies helped. My nails aren't peeling or chipped. No breakage. And hey, they even looked nice enough to paint in pretty pink! You might want to give the challenge a try for yourself. You've got nothing to lose!


Nature's Bounty® Hair, Skin, & Nail Gummies: Join the Nature's Bounty #HairSkinNails Challenge & feel beautiful from the inside out! #freesamp http://bit.ly/1mrOsQj

Rachel Sears Casanta is a former professional triathlete, coach and co-owner of Hypercat Racing, and endurance sport coaching and bike fit studio based in Ventura, California. Mom to an energetic toddler, when she is not chasing her son, Rachel is busy helping athletes achieve their goals while herself keeping fit in the water, on the bike and on the run. Visit www.hypercat.com or email Rachel for information about coaching for running, cycling, duathlon or triathlon events.