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.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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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.
Still run and swim with little change, but given the weather I’ll renew my Trainer Road subscription and start logging bike miles inside.
Less cycling :( more running :)
Canadian winter is a great opportunity to focus on swim technique (pool swimming) biking (indoor trainer) but still run outdoor (new snow is like running on sand), strength and mobility.
More layers and much higher degree of determination.
Indoor cycling and track running would be the best for me in the gym during winter!
Turbo trainer (Trainerroad) instead of wet rainy rides
More focus on gym work that running and “trying” to get in the pool at least once a week.
I put more clothes on. :) I switch to shorter, more intensive runs.
turbo trainer, bliss or dread?
As the weather cools, I switch from more time running out doors to more time running on the indoor track at the gym. But, it takes 22 laps to make a mile, so obviously that gets irritating after a while. But, it’s better then a treadmill. Usually though I just end up running less and hitting the weight room more.
I don’t really change a whole lot. A few more treadmill runs if it snows but I spend most of my rides on my Kickr anyway so just the intensity is dialed down for a month or so.
I live in the caribbean, winter is still too hot and humid :-)
I live in Florida so winter is better than summer so I just keep on running.
Here in western Austria winter comes with all goodness like cross country skiing, ski touring and a diet that’s based on germknödel ;-) so basically, we’ll all change to that here.
Bring out the trainer and suffer indoors
As long as there is no snow, or massive rain, I’ll still bike outside. For other days, there is always Trainerroad or Zwift…
I move indoors and enjoy my indoor training experience with my team on computrainers (group riding) or my kickr (solo riding).
I’m looking for a trainer now so I can continue my rides. Either that or I join the gym or a few months.
I’m in Florida so winter is a happy time of 40-50 degree running weather instead of melting 100+ temps. My training changes to not worrying about heat stroke :)
Arizona winters are beautiful.
Hello, Trainer Road!
I’m in England – so I add more layers, more coffee and a hat
Russian runner online. Move intervals indoors, keep recovery runs outdoor.
Snow piles are not good for speed trainings, but allow great fun though for edurance workouts :)
Living in Houston, TX not much changes except some additional clothing on the colder days. If anything, the weather gets better with less humidity and lower temperatures, so the runs get better.
Layer.
If the temperature is above 45 degrees in the evening after work, I run outside. For less than 45 degrees I enjoy the treadmill and watch prerecorded TV shows that I have saved on the DVR.
im in the tropics so its humid all year round, so training environment is pretty much consistent :-D
I still aim to get outside everyday, but I might put some time in on the indoor trainer if it’s pouring with rain.
No winter adaptations, I Live in Brazil. But I have to adapt to summer extreme temperatures (40 degress centigrade)
A few more spin classes, runs at indoor athletic dome, and some intervals on a treadmill.
Focus on running and indoor cycling.
Living in the Dominican Republic, I don’t have to change anything for the winter. However, the traffic is so bad here, that I ride inside most of the time anyway, using Zwift and a few other tools.
There’s only sunny season, rainy season and the occasional hazy season here in Singapore ?
Winter can be hard here in Quebec City.
More layers, spikes shoes, snowshoeing sometimes and few more seconds by km :-)
Thx Ray
Warmer gear and the nearby university has an indoor track and giant lap pool!
I’m lucky that I get to mix it up a bit in the winter.
Nice crisp winter runs and as I travel a LOT for work I still get to swim in warm open water.
layer up
I’m mostly a cyclist and do most of the training inside using Kickr and Trainerroad. Training hours go down slightly, average intensity maybe increases a bit.
I move my running to the mornings, more to accommodate my work and family schedules.
Another one for the suck it up and add more layers team.
…
Until it snows.
Luckily England stays warm and temperate all year long :S……..
Nah, a while ago I moved from sea swimming to the local pool and will be attending more spin sessions :).
Thanks for the Giveaway Ray!
Less running, more x-country, skating, and indoor activities. And sleep!
I change sports and move also indoors. Most of the time the weather isnt a big issue and you can train outdoors except a few weeks, But the visibility is the b’tch… Easier to do 1 hour run in the dark then a 2 hours ride.
More layers. More accessories for warmth!
Running in the gym and using my Kickr for Indoor trainer.
Winter means more running to make up for lost outdoor road bike miles and intervals indoors on my homemade free motion rollers.
Being based in the UK it’s winter for about 9 months of the year so after reading every word you wrote about the Kickr & Neo I bought a Kickr & a Trainer Road subscription. Hoping to come out of hibernation a better stronger Triathlete. (also doing CycloCross on the weekends because it’s crazy fun!)
I don’t get off my bike until it starts snowing. Then I consider cross country skiing as an alternative but still take every occasions to ride during winter! It’s just about putting enough extra clothes on, really :-)
I’m lucky enough to live in Northern California. It’s slightly chilly sometimes but mostly I just need to prepare for rain.
More running during the winter months than cycling and swimming
I am back focusing on nutrition and weight loss. I will focus on swim technique. I will focus on maintenance versus performance.
I live in the American Southwest and can ride/run year round. I don’t change my habits up much. Though I did ride the indoor trainer frequently when I lived in the Northeast. Mountain biking in the snow up there was pretty awesome.
And I wore a long-sleeve shirt in the winter when I lived in Hawaii.
More layers and mudguards.
This is my 4th year on TrainerRoad base+build+speciality regime.
Just bundle up and get out there ,same as always!
Living in DC we can train ‘most’ of the year. It just gets colder and the occasional snowfall prohibits an outdoor ride. Most of my training gets adapted to inside (trainer rides, treadmills, etc) but I do love a good snowy run and running in the cold never really bothers me, layer up and get on with it! If I can I swap in other activities to keep me guessing (skiing, snowshoeing). Thanks DCR!
I put Nokian studded tires on my mountain bike and use the same road bike routes.
Training stays the same but add long sleeves when needed for outdoor running. It’s pretty mild here in the southern states!
I’m working on my core stability and flexibility in the gym. Also, till now I was a pure cyclist. Next year, however, focus is on my first triathlon (olympic distance). So running and swimming is now on my schedule as well. The fenix3 would be a perfect fit for that :)
Moved to Perth in Australia, literally doesn’t get colder than 5 degrees Celsius. Thus no need to have a “winter” sport any more.
Split it up between training indoors and loading up on the layers when I head outside.
Winter training = hit the gym
I’m in Finland– so I add more layers and a headlamp.
Change to studded tires on my mountain bike and ride the snow packed roads all winter.
I’m primarily a biker, so when winter comes I hit my trainer. However I also like to get outside for snowy hiking and snowshoeing. Thanks for the contest!
Winter means coffee, layers and lots of handkerchiefs to trap the snot!
Lap swimming !! :-)
Warmer clothes!
I ride on the trainer, do more running and go to the gym to build my strength back up.
Train the same, just with warmer clothing….
More clothes and more pain cave.
Heading south to Cape Town to continue with summer training. I can only dream. It will be the gym with everyone else.
Winter is about having ‘fun’, I try and run off road through big puddles, and biking moves indoors with the wonders of The Sufferfest
Indoor trainer and treadmill.
Not one of the lucky ducks in a warm climate, so I just bundle up and soldier on – albeit with a bit less rigidity. The winter is for sleeping in more often.
I stick to the trails here in NJ until the snow gets knee deep or so and then switch to the roads. As much as I like running in snow, when you spend 4 hours post-holing through snow to go 13 miles you know it is time to give it up.
much more trainer time…more runs in the cold and dark…and really, just more waffles.
More layers and safer routes – otherwise no change!
Just put on warmer running cloths.
Instead of cycling out on the road. I spent my training hours on the ATB and I dust off the kickr and put it on the balcony once a week. Also I started with swimming and running this autumn.
So if winter is coming, no excuses for me.
Run : keep on going outside ! Bike : until the frost kicks in , outside ..and then indoor with Tacx Neo ! Swim : september til mai ..heated swimming pool ..
no change in my plan. Road season starts back up in the new year here in the west coast.
Bike on trainer, but still running outside.
I tend to run more… I don’t mind running in the cold as long as there is not much wind. Bicycling turns to spinning classes and trainer rides and even though the pool I swim in puts a bubble up I tend to swim less… swimming need sunshine.
This watch need to spend Christmas in Cancun with me… 32 Days and counting.
I plan to start using my local gym’s newly installed Wattbikes as well as working on some strength training
Had my eye on this watch for a while now.
This winter the wife & I will be spending more time on the treadmill and I’ll be clocking some points on Zwift with the occasional family ride in the great outdoors when the weather is t too bad.
Love the blog.
In NYC I wear the tights but don’t change my plan at all…though yesterday it was 67 degrees so if it stays that warm (global warming?) won’t have to do much adjusting at all.
I just add layers. Running in the cold, on slick surfaces, is a good test of my running form.
South Florida Athlete – What is this winter you speak of?
KICKR and Treadmill… and for the days it’s too snowy to get to the pool, we’re getting a vasa.
Lots of treadmill runs and trainer rides, and I swim a lot less.
Well I’m in the southern hemisphere, so winter is not really on my mind anymore, but usually for winter the training load goes up due a 230km MTB race I have been doing in August (later winter) for the last three years. The only preparation for the mild winters are more layers of clothing and bike lights for the longer hours of darkness we have around that time.
I live in Scotland, so it’s on with the mudguards and carry on regardless!!
More sleeping :-)
Riding in the dark thanks to Lupine lights :-) No distractions by environment, just a few meters of street visible and looking at the powermeter ;-)
My winter training consists of running outside when it is not too icy. I am a fair weather cyclist so my bike will have to sit inside for the winter.
Living in MN I dress warmly and run in the snow. I love winter running!
No change here in MD. Only the pool gets covered and cold.
I put on a pair of tights and go tough it out on the lakefront path. Other then track workouts for track we are outside. Even in the cold Chicago January.
Working on a solid run base (in Minnesnowta!) and loads of functional strength + core.
Layers are key.