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…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
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With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
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You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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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.
4
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.
i generally cut back to just a bit of cycling or running depending on what works with the family schedule. they put up with my “training” enough during our regular lives, they don’t need to on vacation as well!
More training on vacation since I’m less tired than on work days !
come on random number generator!!
I try to do some running, because it’s fun to add to the Strava heat map
I tend to go on cycling holidays as I find it’s the best way to explore a country, so my trusty Cube Cross Race Disc Pro comes with me on every vacation.
morning runs and gym sessions.
Long & slow runs, 20+ km in new places, does not matter whether in cities, villages or trail. Just explore slowly, and get this wonderful relaxing sensation. Sweet!
Mostly running unless the vacation involves a triathlon.
We just took a little vacation to St Paul this weekend, and spent all day Saturday biking the city. I wouldn’t call it training, just a great time.
When on vacation, I typically stick with the training prescribed for the upcoming race as I have more time to do a casual run or speedwork.
Simply shifts to icecream and eating all day long :)
Long distance mountain biking through the valleys every now and then, and running training for the next races I’ll be doing.
Do more in the summer to find new courses and lakes. Do mostly running cycling and swimming. Want is start sea swimming because living in Swansea.
Usually end up running and try to get some pool time when possible. Take it easy for the most part and fit things in around family plans.
I do long distance running and cycling in Texas. Adding more swim time so I can improve my triathlons!
If there is a gym, I try to work out. More likely it is a bike ride with the kids in a trailer. It’s kind of bike resistance training…
Vacation is the perfect time to get longer miles on the bike, as well as long runs, for fall races prep. Also great time for the pool, which can be a little hard to get to during the winter (motivation-wise).
Since I am retired, I am always on vacation! Training therefore does not change at all.
Hi Ray,
During vacations I love to have some endurance run while discovering aera
Cheers!
Stick with the schedule.
When on vacation I actually enjoy doing a little more then what was planned, well my plan involves vacation training so I guess it really isn’t more then. So what I’m saying is a stay consistent
Ray,
Great question. I’m taking off for church camp and was told no swimming in the lake with a life jacket. But they are good by to allow me to swim after 10:00 so the kids will be in bed for curfew!
Vacation training is usually whatever running sounds fun that day/week. No hard speed work and as many woodsy trails as I can locate.
I’ve had some great experiences with runs to explore new cities.
eat & drink :-)
Do you know what is a great vacation workout?
Doing laps while navigating the sea on the top deck of the ship… I love it!
Training on vacation usually consists of segment hunting. AND ice cream.
I give a short break to my daily cycling routine with short, fun rides. And add up open sea swimming :D
Vacation typically = even more training because I actually have more time and flexibility.
Often great chance for a swim.
just easy run… hopefully, in front of a beautiful costa rican beach!!!
Cycling all the time :)
I’m planning my vacation after my main race… recovery time
I love running on vacation – great to get out and run in new places.
training on vacation consists of a brick workout drink-walk-drink…70.3 drinks
Haven’t had a vacation in about 7 years where I haven’t taken my bike and running / swim gear.
Much to the annoyance of my family.
I like to try and get a few more workouts in than usually. I’m just finishing up my masters degree in engineering while working part time for the company I will eventually transition to full time. The student\work mix sometimes takes precedent over a workout so vacation I have a blank page to mix it up.
I wish I could say that I train just as hard as normal…. But that would be a lie! I love my relaxing vacations!
Vacation training consists of moving workouts closer to the middle of the day and getting more than 6 hours of sleep! Plus, I get to do more multi-discipline workouts in a day vice my usual routing of a run or bike and gym workout daily if my schedule permits!
I usually prepare some routes in the city. I do a quick run in the spot, where I will be visiting later with the family.
Double down baby!!
Find as much mountain biking as I can…
If I’m training for something and I go on vacation, then I cut back on training but sill try to remain active.
morning runs and noon swim sessions….
hey c’mon on vacation it’s always a great time to have some downtime and relax but it’s also a great opportunity to explore what’s around you and not just slob on a beach lounger or by the pool.
Whether it be biking, kayaking or running I you get to see the world from a different perspective. For me I am off to the volcanic island of Lanzarote in the summer and cannot wait to run some volcanic trails to see the sunrise.
I wake up early for a first easy run and at mid afternoon I do some bodyweight exercises… prepared for the ice cream :D
do an early morning ride on my roadbike and be right back for breakfast
when i’m on vacation, i try to find a local 10k-HM race to hop into. If a 10k, i’ll race it hard, for a HM, it depends where i’m at in my training cycle.
I usually add more running to make up for my lack of a bike comute
Holiday is exactly that, family and holiday time. Bring on the ice cream…
With more time and new places tend to go further with less intensity
Hiking with my girlfriend:)
Running with new scenery to help refill the motivation tank
I don’t have a training schedule on vacation. I get exercise in by walking all over and call that good enough. Maybe if I had more serious races scheduled that would change. Thanks for the contest!
Ha. I usually find it easier to train on vacation. Early mornings while everyone else is sleeping in. Then I grin all morning because I’ve done more than they will all day ;)
usually scale back
I always pack a pair of running shoes, a pair of shorts and two shirts for a day trip or extended vacation. You never know what opportunities you have while you’re away from home!
Just running and swimming for me, the better half won’t let me take the bike!
Try to still get a morning run in to feel better about being lazy the rest of the day.
Couple 45 minute runs and thats it
I try to survive on hotel gyms for a ~day…then end up going off the wagon. :(
At the very minimum I’ll get running in. Biking and swimming if at all possible, but usually ends up being just running.
I try to get in the runs where possible, outside or on the hotel TM. If I´m marathon training I load the week before and after so while I´m away it´s a cutback week.
My Vacation training will usually be a light version of the run training that I am on at that time. And MAYBE a small amount of swimming.
Usually tend to stay away from any “planned” training or exercise during vacations. Unplanned hikes, swims, etc bring them on. Though usually chocolate (or other local sweet delicacies) abound :)
On my vacation i mostly eat, drink and relax! :)
Always love some light exercise while on vacation. Nothing too intense though!
Make a list of all the places that i would like to see whilst there and either ride a bike or walk around to see them all, R&R is the key so keeping it easy (not hard in my case) is paramount
More or less the same but without pressure.
I usually do a triathlon of eating, drinking and having a relaxing time.
I use my run as a well to tour the city I am visiting. Usually ends up being a shorter run, but lots more pictures!
If I have vacation I usually try to do nothing but it happens I fail with that. But I am very active anyway, I dont like lying on the beach.
Press on with the morning runs, or move them to the evening depending on schedule. A lot of my vacations consist of hiking, so those runs are usually reduced a bit or eliminated if I’m hitting a long or steep hike.
Always go with the best intentions but never do any exercise apart from my beer arm.
Light running and try with all of my will power not to gain too much weight.
I always stick with my run training, not so much swim or bike!
Stealth training!!! Whatever training I can hide/camouflage as “recreation” from my SO. Most normal people (non triathletes) think training during your vacation is crazy. Really, they do!
Early runs + some pushups.
Vacation? What’s that? Life is a vacation I train and race when away from home
I tend to do more hiking/exploring rather than running. I do try and sneak a few runs in though.
I do more hiking, and exercise my eating muscles.
I find that on vacation I try to increase my workouts out doors to take advantage of the new surroundings and see our vacation spot as much as possible.
Runs and family hikes!
Run the hills near my family’s house. Where I live is flat, my folks live in rolling hills, so visiting them is a great time to work on running uphill and downhill, working on form, and then sprinting up a steep climb just before I get back. Makes other hills seem small.
Most recent vacations have been to training camps, so the training’s been ramped up there! Albeit with a bit of extra beer, wine and sampling local foods…
Need this for the comrades marathon. My FR620 wont last.
Short runs to decompress after a day of sightseeing is the best. Smelling running clothes are the worst.
Training on vacay = no training.
Most of my running is usually on the road. On vacations I look for interesting trail runs. Just read “America’s Best Places to Run” by Jeff Galloway. I need to get out more!
Enjoy to chill and doing diiferent sports I normally not do
I’ll usually keep up with running and core exercises. If I’m somewhere that I can swim then I’ll do that too. I find I can do a little more volume than usual, as I have more time.
Going to the beach and plan to do some casual beach running and then business as usual with heart rate training!
RUN so then I can eat!!
i basically just cut back to base training to counteract the extra food I pack down my gullet
Vacation training is usually some early running, walking/hiking for discovery of the vacation place. Otherwise ther is a need for some sort of activity that isn’t training specific.
I like early morning runs both as a means of exercise and also a great way to explore your holiday destination.
I cut back and try to arrange my training so that the trip coincides with my low volume/recovery week. I’ll try to get some runs in if weather permits.
I only bring my running gear if we’re going to a friend’s beach house. If we’re going somewhere new we usually spend so much time walking, biking and exploring that I don’t need to worry about working out.
Stop training, yoga instead!
Usually an early morning run and calisthenics. Then whatever the fay brings
It’s of course a long ride with road bike. :)
Overseas holidays = running, great way to explore
UK holidays = cycling, including cycling to get there (with wife in car with luggage and dog)
I usually avoid running, swimming or cycling and devote my vacation to activities I dont have time for during the year, mainly due to the training itself. Its usually physically challenging anyway, so it makes up for the lost training…