Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. Full list & thoughts here!
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
2
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
3
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2024 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
Weather this winter has me seriously thinking about a treadmill for the first time. Work and weather conspired to have me running in the dark on packed snow and ice with a -5 F windchill.
Coldest training bike ride was in early December, during a brief cold spell. Sunny, bright, but the wind was bitterly cold. Managed 20 km on the mountain bike, around the Sierra Nevada foothills. (The one in Spain, not CA). Minimum temp according to bike computer: -5º C. But it felt much colder.
I did 5.5miles last week @ 3 degrees F, got to love running in Michigan in January!
80 min run in -13°C with strong wind a fresh snow. Epic.
30oF Ride/run brick in San Francisco
Riding the short 2.5 miles to work in Chicago during the dead of winter. Dark city, wind chills below zero, hands and feet numb. Worth it when I see my bike is the only one in the parking garage of an 80 story building.
Evening triathlon club run. 10 degrees, ~0 windchill. Cold at the beginning but numb by the end!
Ride from the foothills down into Denver. Only about 32°F. but my toes and fingers were not ready for it.
Neither in Austria – -6C and a bit rain, that was it
Everytime it snows in SW Ohio … There’s nothing like running as the snow falls around you (and this year has been A LOT more than past years!)
My coldest run this winter has been at 15 degrees (F). It was a Blood donor 5K at my deployed location here in Afghanistan raising awareness and getting military members to donate platelets. Thanks for your information I always review it before I make a purchase to get the “real” story on devices.
Swimming in Barton Springs pool in Austin, TX. Its always 67 degrees due to it being a natural spring, but it is routinely in the 30’s outside during the winter.
21 degrees. Felt like a heatwave given the vortex had us subzero for a week!
I live in Tempe, Az so I am lucky I do not have to brave the cold very often. My coldest run this winter was a low 40’s early morning long run. That is the reason I live in Az.
We’ve been generally lucky in the UK this winter so I don’t really have a particularly bad cold weather tale to tell :( does this mean I can’t enter….boo hoo :(
Yesterday it was 16℉ but since the polar vortex was lifting and it was suppose to be warmer I road to work rather than drive. It was either that or on my trainer in my unheated basement when it 0 outside.
Nice brick 4.5 hr brick at 22°f. Froze to death
Coldest run this winter 72 deg F, and that’s classified as cold here in the Virgin Islands.
Coldest run – my pick from any that I have been doing at my gym – 3 mi at 70f last week
Nothing special: – 13C 10K run last Sunday and after that… whole week of sneezing and coughing ;(
Work commute on the bike, about 20F and a layer of ice down here in Louisiana. A nice change from the ordinary, I must say.
Decmber 6 2013 was a paricularly cold tempo run for me in Calgary. Windchills were supposed to be -40 degrees C. The average air temp without the wind for the day was -27 degrees C.
Coldest has been my daily commute. While only ~5 miles, there have been at least three days where it was the wrong side of -20°F.
Just recently went to Sag Harbor NY to visit family and not realizing the temps I simply took shorts and a long sleeve shirt. Being next to the water makes a big difference when you get the wind chill involved.
I ran outside once, and it was pretty breezy. I tend to find excuses not to exercise outside when it is cold. I’m so so weak.
I’m from the tropical South East Asia, where anything south of 25’C/77F is cold.
So I went for a 10k race one chilly evening, a contrast to the usual morning runs. Bear in mind it was raining up till moments before the race started.
I started running, pacing was good and I was warming up nicely. I saw a drink station approaching, which is my cue to take a sip from my drinks belt. While passing by the drink station, I instinctively splashed 2 cups of water all over myself.
Bad move, I just trend a very nice run into a horrible one.
The rest of the 8k was just cold, wet and miserable.
Took my first sea swim in Loch Alsh last November – enjoyed every minute of it. Looking forward to doing more this year.
4 degrees & 20 mph! Made it to the end of the driveway – turned around and headed to the treadmill.
Running with 10 C , Crete, Greece.
It’s really hard to remember, because last days the temperature here is around 38C, sometimes over 40C. Too hot!
Not much to complain about here in the San Francisco area when it comes to cold. During a cold snap before Christmas, I saw a tiny bit of ice on a puddle during my morning run, so I would venture a guess that my coldest run this winter has been in the low 30s. Otherwise, it’s been extremely mild this winter!
Did a chilly 14 miles over the local hills a couple of weekends ago but never too cold on the south coast (UK)
The coldest bike ride this winter was about 5ºC in Serra da Arrábida in Portugal.
But in the descents it feels much lower than that…
Coldest swim was when the heater at the indoor pool broke. And coldest run this season was in the teens.
Doing most my runs and bikes indoors this winter. This past weekend though did 10 mile run in the cold (14′ F) down by the beach. Wind and cold was extra painful and tingly all over.
Went for (what turned out to be) my slowest run for the winter because there was still snow/ice/slush on the ground around my neighborhood in NJ. It was 4.5 miles at about 6:30PM, which is well past sun-down this time of year, and about 12F – which would’ve been alright if the windchill didn’t make it feel like -1F! If I remember correctly, it started snowing at around mile 2.
Still better than the demon that is any dreadmill!
Over the holidays I spent a few weeks in New England during the nasty weather, and kept running even though the temps were single digits (I think 7F was the coldest day I ran), the sidewalks were iced and snowy, and the wind was fierce. I took a picture one day of the back road I was running on, which had 2″ thick ice and looked (and felt!) like I was running on an ice skating rink. I’m not accustomed to cold temps, so I was pretty proud of myself for getting out there every day — and for not falling on my bum while running on that ice!
In hot sunny Rio de Janeiro, i couldn’t find anything below 90oF – hot!!!
Racing with 105 in your forehead… You can imagine…
Just last week (Ottawa, Canada), 14 km run….-17C plus wind chill -26C….why do I do this to myself?
Around 40 with a light rain was the worst run of the winter so far.
The coldest rides have definitely been my daily commutes. At some point in December, the morning ride was about -40 with wind chill. It was actually wonderful because the pathways were quiet, and the roads were completely (frozen) dry.
It was -30C. As I ran past the bank and post office, a few people informed me on how crazy I was or that I was on the verge of dying. Not an athletic neighbourhood.
Last run was going well till the little puddle became a pond and ended up knee deep in water. Sshould’ve used my wadera
Zero degrees F, with some wind. Just a 4-mile run, but still ended up with crusty/frozen eyelashes.
Ran in the rain 10’c
I went paddling (in a kayak) just after New Year’s in a lake at the German Alps with temperatures around 0C. After about 2 hours of kayaking, my feet were so cold so I ran a little. Pretty amazing scenery though.
It was bitter cold here in Naples 39* the morning of the Naples Half Marathon.
Went out riding at 20 degrees while in college without proper clothing. I thought I was tough and could handle the temps. I was tough for about half a mile before I turned around regretting the idea in the first place.
-20°C, 30km :)
I Went for a 50 min run after sunset in 35ºF last week in shorts and t-shirt. Legs were slightly numb after 5 minutes, but awesome run.
So I did a two hour Bike workout with my Road bike, with thermomask, snowgoggles and many many layers. At 7F… Especially downhill going 40 miles/hour was extremely chilly. But hey, the only problem were my toes. These icecubes were defrosted after two hours…
Turkey Trot 13 degF
Frozen Trail Run in Eugene, OR. 15 mile trail run in the snow after a rare week of snow and ice in Eugene.
I ran the other day when it was around 0f. I was fine until the wind picked up!
rode the Iceman mountain bike race in northern michigan first weekend in November… was a balmy 39 degrees this year and just a little bit of snow
2 weeks ago in forest of Espoo, Finland in -17degC. nice running as no snow and at this time should be plenty and no running.
I was going for a morning run. I knew it was cold, but I hadn’t checked the weather that morning. I went outside and started running for about a tenth of a mile before I turned around. It turns out the polar vortex hit again and it was -8 and windy. Its the only time I’ve ever bailed on a run due to weather after actually starting.
Mountain bike ride down to the pub at 6A with sub-zero (F) temps to watch football (soccer) on snow plowed trails. Honestly though, it was shoveling the snow in Minneapolis this morning at -9F.
I did 15 km run few weeks ago and (as you probably noticed) temperatures in Finland were down to as low as -25 °C. After 15 minutes people i was getting wtf-faces from people due to massive accumulation of snow in my eyebrows
#doublemerinobuff #doublelongjohns #giveawaysoundsgood
I’m in Wisconsin… the coldest I’ve run in is about 5ºF. Problem is right now all the trails are covered in lots of snow. So much so that it slows me down by at least 1 min/mile and runs the risk of injury. The dreadmill has been winning lately…
It’s been so icy here that running outside has been treacherous so a lot of my runs have had to be indoors. My coldest run outside was in actual temps of 10 degrees, but with the windchill it felt a few degrees below zero.
Went for an early morning run before work in early January, was about 40F outside. Warm for you Northerners and Easterners but darn cold for us Californians!
Polar Dash in Chicago a few weeks ago – the it was sleeting and the wind was whipping so hard I got an ice cream headache waiting for the race to start.
Doesn’t get too cold in these parts of NC, not like some of the posts above, but it’s all relative. I went out for a 7 miles run one recent morning and it was a nippy 30 degrees.
It’s been a relatively warm winter this year in Albuquerque (and my last pre-sunup run was in October) so my coldest outing was probably about 30F earlier this month. . .
Went for a 130km bike ride in 5 C weather for double century training in snow capped mountains(novelty for us at the tip of Africa), Coming down the Franschhoek pass my hands froze and could not pull brake levers, eventually stoped using combination of brakes and foot against back tyre. Waited 10 min for hands to dethaw in armpits before I could continue again. Scary.
There is not such freezing weather so my coldest run was 5 km in +5 C only. But I commute daily to work 35 minutes by foot and the same from work. Once it was in -4 C. Does it count? :)
Polar Vortex arrived in Jan. with day temps never above teens F in Mass. 8 mile trail run with micro spikes into 40mph winds felt like my feet were engulfed in cement into headwind and someone pushing my butt on tailwinds.
I did a charity ride at the end of November with some friends of mine. I live in NC, so it typically doesn’t get that cold, but we were surprised by a healthy winter morning, at 28degrees F. Not to be deterred, we plodded on 40 miles in freezing cold with about 150 of our new best friends through NC and SC Countryside. It was a gorgeous day, and though we were moving a little slower than normal due to being encumbered by our winter clothing, my group of 6 close friends made it — together. We ended the ride with a big helping of Carolina BBQ, and a mug of cold beer.
Riding my bike down Mt. Diablo in the densely shaded area the temperature was very low. I was shivering on my bike and had to stop.
Went XC skate skiing when it was 32C below with the widchill for 2hrs. Had to get the workout in…it was slow going and super cold.
Thanks for the giveaway, all the great work you’re doing and the support to readers, Ray!
As it’s summer in the Southern Hemisphere I can say that my coldest run where I live (Buenos Aires, Argentina) happened somewhat around 20* (Celsius)… very early chill morning for this time of the year
Let me see, other “freezing” options outside my hometown:
Mid December in South Beach, Florida – 23* Celsius
Mid January in Santiago, Chile – 26* Celsius
Yesterday in Bogota, Colombia the ever coldest 14* Celsius :)
Can I offer my highest temp during the last couple of months? 37* Celsius, can’t even remember why I did that!
My husband is a retired Marine. When we were stationed in South Dakota we ran regularly in sub zero weather wearing neoprene masks. However, now we live in Florida and the coldest we will run is about 32°.
Living in Los Angeles, cold is almost never a serious issue, and this year has been even warmer than usual. However, it still dips into the 40s overnight. I know, not enough to complain about, but just on the borderline of being able to dress stupidly when I get up before sunrise for a run. One of the parks where I do my long runs has a 1-mile stretch that for some reason (proximity to water, shade, wind tunnel effect, I have no idea) routinely feels 5-10 degrees colder than the rest of the park. The temperature at my house one morning was hovering around 50, so I went out in shorts and a t-shirt. When I got to that 1-mile stretch, it was clear I should have worn long sleeves or a pair of gloves. By the time I made my turn on to the next section, my forearms and hands felt numb. I know this won’t garner much sympathy, but it’s by far the coldest I’ve been this year, so it’s the best I’ve got.
Wow loads of responses!
Mine was leading a group around a local 27 mile route as a recce for a race later in the year. It was very cold and I had ice in my beard at the end.
It had rained a lot the week leading up to the run and parts were knee deep with mud underneath so shoe loosing stuff.
Had to stop at halfway to help one person who was going hypothermic, luckly we left a car at the halfway mark with food in, so we drove him home and then drove back and continued the run.
It was hard getting back out there again!
Riding up Mt. Hamilton in the bay area. It was freezing cold at the top and I was wearing woolen gloves :(
They got wet in the mist and my hands were numb for a while.
Our cold snap actually hit in early December – not quite winter yet. It got down to 9 below (coldest temp ever recorded in Eugene) – I let it warm up to 12 or so before going on a 7 mile run in lumpy frozen snow / ice – no falls, but not much fun either.
This weeks Tuesday run at -10 degree plus(minus) some windchill. Doesn’t need to become any colder ;-). I’m looking forward to spring temperatures and longer days!
Surprisingly, here in NE Florida in Jacksonville, I bottomed out temp-wise with a half marathon I ran Thanksgiving Day. The temperature at gun time was 37*!
This isn’t to say it hasn’t been colder here. It only means I haven’t been training outside! LOL The bike trainer in my balmy living room and trips to the indoor pool have been most welcome. I will be getting in a long run Saturday when the temps will be back in the 70s.
Living in the land of Go Hawks, it doesn’t get too cold. The coldest I’ve ran in this winter was right at the freezing mark.
Thanks for the contest, Ray!
I live in Minnesota where we have been experiencing a ‘polar vortex!’ My coldest run so far this year was -47 F with the windchill (-21 without the windchill) Bundled up with three layers + a wind layer and stayed pretty warm. I ran on a snowmobile trail for 3 miles before the icicles on my eyelashes made it hard to see :)
We got down to the single digits (F) for some 10+ mile runs, at which point I realized anything below freezing feels about the same once the blood starts flowing!
I guess we are pretty lucky here in the UK. Temperatures haven’t really dropped below freezing. It has been raining however, the Moorland multi-terrain 10K was some of the best shin high mud that I have had the good fortune to struggle through. As for the bike. Well to be honest I have spent most of my winter attached to the turbo trainer.
A balmy 12degreesC because I read you review and bought myself a Wahoo kickr and have ridden video routes of nice warm places all winter – haven’t regretted the decision on iota!
In the first week of January this year. I won’t forget this ride for a while. Full cloud cover, windy, and cold. The wind was hitting every exposed inch of uncovered skin. I immediately realized I should have worn a base layer, leg and arm warmers… I live in San Diego 60 is cold. Burrrrrrrr!
Last Sunday in London I had a three hour ride in pouring rain wearing SHORTS
coldest run in this warm winter in Germany was just about 28F.
BUT last winter it was about 5F ;)
Here in Toronto cold has been the standard for a few weeks. Last week the wind direction changed on the return leg of an out and back run. Made for an ugly 6K return.
8 mile run on McCullough Trail Average temp was low 30’s.
The temperature has been very cold this winter, but the coldest I have been was during a cyclocross race, where the temperature was around 0 degrees Celsius. It had rained heavily, so there was lots of standing water on the course. 10 seconds into the race, I hit a big puddle and was completely soaked. I crashed into another puddle shortly after. It took a couple of hours before I was sufficiently warm again. Cold is fine – cold and wet is another thing altogether.
Running with a Friend training for the Ice Breaker Marathon in Milwaukee, WI. Was -4 F when we started and -7 F when we finished 12 miles later. Luckily it wasn’t really windy.
-12F run at night this winter. Had on 4 layers above and below the waist, gloves inside mittens, hat and face mask. It was actually quite enjoyable because it was so peaceful outside. Not much moves in -12F.
Coldest run in the last year would be almost spot on a year ago: a nice run in the snow with a few friends, coming back in with frosted fingers as I loaned my gloves to one of the cold ladies (really gentlemanlike that I am – will not think at least twice before I do it again ;-). Think it was -10C or so with a cold wind blowing. Took some time to warm through and through after an hour of running, but the idyllic views of running in snowed woodlands with big flakes drifting down was more than worth it!
6 mile run in the dark in subzero temperatures.
I ran double digit miles in single digit temps while visiting my parents in Minnesota over thanksgiving. Made me appreciate our move south a few years ago, even if it was only down to Nebraska.
I feel fortunate, running in 41 F temps would be the coldest for me. But i live in the Los Angeles area and that’s considered freezing here.
I used to train cycling, but when winter came I thought about having start with running. On December I ran on -11 celcius degree through 2hours… I ran Long run (16km) I was preparing for New Year’s Eve run for 10km (I started run at October;) ). Last 3km I Had big, the biggest Wall ever and I didn’t think clearly for next 3 hours :)
Riding to work. In the snow. On my roadbike. In 12 degrees, with a parka on.
Earlier in Jan -12 deg 6 miler
This past Tuesdays team track practice was 8 degrees at 7:30pm just north if Baltimore. Cold as hell but 8 people actually showed up.