Heads up! There’s some pretty substantial sales that just started. For watches, the Garmin Epix is down to $499, and the Fenix 7 to $449, with the Pro editions also $200 off! Meanwhile the top-end Edge 1040 cycling GPS is down to $499, and both the Edge 540 & Edge 840 are also on sale. As is Varia radar for $149. Some incredible deals, and ll the deals are here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
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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!
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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 and Equipment 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! It’s a nice break from the day to day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
5
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 2023 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.
Long slow run to enjoy the scenery.
some easy cycling when on vacation
I usually take a vacation from exercising when on vacation. Would love to win a Fenix 3!
Best way to experience a city is via a bike
Run training is the only one I can seem to maintain while on vacation. I also like going back later and looking at the GPS tracks during work to remember how awesome the vacation was.
I try to maintain the same schedule, and running is a great way to see the place where i am :-)
Open the throttle the first couple days, and taking it easy afterward. Lots of ice creams, wine and cheese.
Cheers and have a great vacation Ray,
FNormand
I usually plan to cut down and then end up eating lots of ice cream instead :)
No better way to check the surroundings than a nice run or bicycle ride. It’s part of a holiday.
Running is the best way to see a place. So train more, eat more icecream.
Running the trails on the Amalfi Coast.
A little less of training
hi Ray,
If I am on vacation with my family I slow my training
if I just take some days off (vive les RTT !) I push harder with longer rides.
The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little beyond the limits towards the impossible, FENIX 3 GARMIN
Normally I don’t have training plan. I wake up earlier in holiday and have a easy run with my friend. Then go for a good breakfast XD
Typically I change very little because I don’t have any training schedule outside my vacation either :)
Depends on the vacation, last one was skiing and the upcoming one will be a week windsurfing. No real training plans just remain active
On vacation I usually shift from cycling to running (doing one run per week all year at least).
It is a good way to explore nw places and it avoids that discussion when you say you want to bring your bike on vacation, yes you know what I’m talking about ;P
Les vacances c’est le moment de faire des sports que je n’ai pas l’habitude de faire et pour le pure plaisir, zéro compétition, juste se retrouver avec soi même……
Me and my girlfriend try to run every 2nd day when we are on vacation, but since we are from Norway and we don´t have that much sun or good weather it usually end up on the beach and swimming.
Holiday is prime time with the kids. No training when on vacation until they are grown up and can keep pace. ;)
On holidays I go for mountain hiking. For this I always use a GPS receiver and a Suunto X10. It would be great to replace that Suunto by a Fenix 3 with a HR strap.
Découvrir de nouveaux itinéraires.
When training on vacation I like to follow a axe dual. How ever often my training is done on pace, distance and time. I do not have a running watch, or any watch that can help me with multi sport training, so I would love to have one as it would improve my training immensely !!
If a go other countries, a try running for the special garmin log. And eat the icecream. :-)
Keep on running wherever!! But add in some walking too!
Running running
Training continues as much as possible.
I’m al about that cake and chicken!
I usually try to take a break and will just do some short cycles sub 20 miles to keep the legs moving.
I would go for a light run to explore the area, but besides that I like to take it easy on vacation and give my body some rest.
I hope you have a nice vacation Ray.
On vacation I usually skip training for some relaxing activities (e.g. sunbathing)
I try to put in some time on the MTB as far as family permits. Otherwise, I stick to my running schedule.
I try to relax and downgrade my training to walking and recreational swimming with my kids when I am on holiday. I also join the kids in our daily ice cream eating :)
It depedns on the holiday.. if it’s a week hiking on the Alps, well, I think that 5-8 hours walking a day is enough training..
If it’s at the sea, then I try to stick to my training plan as usual, as it is running, I don’t have too much problems in finding nice places where to run.
Schedule is love, schedule is life. I feel that having certain days be the ones for running makes it less likely to skip one. Motivation may be fickle, but habit is not.
I like to run on vacation for 2 reasons: first, I enjoy running in a different setting away from home. As a bonus you get to see your vacation spot from a different point of view. Second, I like to maintain my fitness. I do cut down on my mileage do. After all, it is vacation!
I always try to find a place where I can at least do some swimming. Most other things are usually on hold.
Is off to the mountains, so training changes to hill repeats and longer steadier runs.
I’ll try to maintain the same mileage/intensity while on holiday. It’s either a run around the area or the gym…..or room work outs with Shaun T insanity
Must break most normal routines otherwise you can’t call that a vacation, therefore no running at all!
Shopping and Pizzaing at marathon pace across the sea is fine though.
Running and swimming
I just try to run for 60′ exploring the place.
During vacations i’m running to see around or renting a bike.
Vacation is the best to time to train more and longer than usually, as much as possible in mountains !
I usualy skip any riding that would have taken place, due to the hazzle of transport. So, running and swimming is my go-to training on vacation!
For me, it’s usually stepping it up a bit. I typically plan a super week during my holidays for which I normally wouldn’t have the time when not on holidays…
Mountain biking & lots of it. Tour du Mt Blanc this year.
Climbing, running and cycling with a little extra effort!
I try to run early in the morning to catch the sunrise and to see the area before the traffic and before other people are out. It gives a different perspective to exploring later in the day.
I usually cut back to more easy running, depending on how close to my next race I am.
I usually swim more and ride less (as there is usually a pool in the hotel somewhere, and a good road bike nowhere to be found). and of course more ice cream as usual.
I like to combine it with my family, swim in the morning, followed by a run.
I usually go exploring local roads and get some scenery in, and doing roughly same distance as at home, maybe even more if I have time and if not pushing myself.
Well it usually starts with a lot of good intentions but eventually we manage to squeeze in one run, a few walks and a lot of swimming if we are near the sea :D
Typically I go on vacations to race. Or better I plan a race and take the days surrounding that race as a vacation. Racing usually means a one or two day ultra trail or other mountain race.
Ice cream after a long bike ride
Vacation? Just swimming in the sea……
I try to run every other day, distance depends on the destination (weather and elevation).
Run early morning while everyone is asleep or hit the gym at night or swim while their sunbathing.
I typically use the opportunity to run in nice landscape or interesting cities, hence the need to be able to follow a route or at least find back my starting point.
Hiking
Spring and summer vacation: running turns into walking.
Winter: if possible two trainings a day (XC-skiing), race at the end of the vacation.
I’ve never been able to train as expected on vacation, but I usually enjoy some unplanned runs. With a Fenix device, no doubt it would be easier to train seriously!
Cut back to easy running and swimming in open waters combined with ice creams and haribos.
I try to train according to my plan. If I can, I usually try to schedule more training during beach or lakeside vacations since there is more free time.
After a few days of vacation the boredom is usually enough of a motivator to get me running again.
I take vacations so I can run more. Nothing better for exploring a new place then running around or joining a local race.
I just take an active holiday instead, call it cross training if you must but I like to think of it as ‘playing’ :)
On vacation, I usually try different sports I can’t do when on normal schedule .. (Hiking in the mountains, long bike rides, scuba diving, ..)
Thxs CT and Ray ! Great Idea.
CrossFit while on vacation!
On vacation I try to belance family with sport, depending on where we are. But running is always an option : )
Playing tennis and drinking mojito.
Mental training
If available use the fitness equipment of the hotel and thus doing other exercises than at home.
But most of the time, vacation is a resting period.
Do as much training as wife will let me get away with.
On vacation I try to cycle everyday.
Running & Swimming
usually slow it up, but doing a few runs is a good way to see a new place
Most times i stop the training because there are so many things to do while on vacation.
On vacation we have more time to run longer distance!
Depends a lot on the type of vacation. If possible, I try to run and enjoy the new scenery. Running is also a great way to see a city in less time. If I really am pressed for time, I might just have to go to the hotel gym’s treadmill…
Oh, and I eat way too much whenever I am on vacation, always trying to find new foods
Intentions are good since I always pack my running gear but somehow I never ger to run. It’s ok though…vacations are made to chill out (and enjoy Vino Toscano) :-)
On Vacation I love taking long slow runs to check out the area.
I usually try to get in around 80% of the miles I was scheduled, and don’t worry too much about paces. If i’m close to a race, then I just buck it up and do the whole workout.
I ususally take vacation near sea. On the morning, before breakfest I will go for short walk near shoreline. During day I’m eating, ehm building energy :) for evenings parties. But I don’t suppose parties count ;-)
Generally I am following 2-3 times a week training during vacation time. But this year I am going to run my first marathon on SEP 15th 2015 in Poland in Gdansk. So this vacation will be different! Now I am in 12th week of training plan and something about 16 weeks are left. I can’t wait :).
From time to time I am also doing some bouldering climbing sessions because climbing is one of my favorite sports. So I plan to have a mountain climbing this year. So yes, vacation’s training is going to be very nice time.
Training goes out the window on holidays. But wouldn’t rule out a few gentle runs or some swimming depending on where I am
I am a morning person, so actually during vacation (when my family sleeps longer and I dont have to rush to make it to the office) I run more :-D Same days, but longer runs.
ride bike with my little sitting in the weehoo i-go trailer attached with a lot of joy :-) link to youtu.be
I usually plan to do early morning runs before the family gets up, or with the Mrs if she’s awake. Eg: Sunrise beach run at Krabi, trail runs at nearby forest in Perth, but the morning jog at Queenstown, NZ with the backdrop of the Remarkables.. is simply unforgettable.
It depends on location but exploring a place by run or bike is a great way to get off the beaten path, so I do what I can.
Depending how close my vacation is to a competition I decide how much to step back from the usual routine…being human and liking a bit of indulgence I must confess that sometimes I let the situation to “influence” my decision :D Only when going on a scuba diving or skiing holiday I keep going for a long as possible as I simply can’t get enough of these activities! In this cases though good drinks and food become a reward…when I go skiing I actually plan my skiing trip around where I want to go for lunch!! :)
I would drink a lot of beer when I’m on holiday…. but the more beer I drink, the more exercise I do to get rid of the gained calories :)
Hiking and running are my main activities.
5km run or 750m swim would be nice to do when you plan to eat a lot during vacation.
I usually try to keep the milage, and try to use local resources.
i do 2-3 times a week cycling
On vacation I try not to rest, and to give the maximum training. A vacation for me, it’s like a training camp.
On vacation i can try long run (for me, up to 30 km) with more relaxed time… and, at the end, more time for stretching, and a Big Icecream!
I give my normal workouts a complete rest, and work on my yoga, especially my Kundalini.
Taking Running Kit and bike stuff with me on holiday this year to the Balaeric islands. Also packing a TRX
This would be great to win, as I was wanting one of these to take with me…. and I am 40 this year, so please Ray let me win :)