Heads up! The big Garmin spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8, $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, and countless other Garmin products. Full list & thoughts 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:
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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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/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!
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 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.
Indoor Trainer season!!!!
A lucky duck here. Not hawaii but in Spain winter is not so hard.
Perhaps riding bike is a little bit more dificult coz the wet floor.
PHX “winter” isn’t that bad…so the only change is to sleep in and train at noon instead of 6am
I live in Mumbai and we increase mileage over winter as the temperature drops from 28-38 C to 25-33 C. It’s way more pleasant and easier to log in more mileage over the 2 months of winter that we have. :-D
MTB in stead of road bike, a lot more oriëntering en indoor swimming
Wahoo KICKR all the way. And layers for my winter 9W rides here in the NYC area.
I live in Fort Worth Tx so this time is my favorite time to run.
Lot of biking indoors with trainer, studded running shoes while running outdoors and run intervals in indoors.
Add layers, but thinking of more swimming!
Layers, add’em. Running in winter toughens me up, it’s a penance of sorts for any runs I skipped in good weather.
Gym spin classes
Treadmill and indoor bike trainer (computrainer).
In Perth, winter training means long sleeves and the occasional rain jacket.
Winters in NY can be brutal but the cold doesn’t bother me as much as the darkness. I will move inside to treadmill, spin bike, trainer during the week when I’m forced to workout before or after office hours. On the weekends I will layer up and head outside to enjoy some sunlight no matter how cold or snowy it might be!
I change my cycling shorts to cycling thights. And a windstopper jacket.
And swap my carbon bike for my alu CX bike.
I just need to be cycling
Running my main sport, but will be entering my first tri next year. Have started some strength work in gym and looking at getting a turbo trainer for winter.
As for running, embrace the weather and take advantage of the challenge of the rain and mud!
As long as there isn’t much snow/ice on the ground, I’ll continue running outdoors. But beyond some point, treadmill it is.
just more layers when running and indoor bike
The main changes concern the bike which I start riding later, waiting for the sun to show is first rays and the morning run, done with my Pezl on the top of my head.
Moving from DC to San Francisco.
I try not to make big changes, just put on more clothes and avoid cycling when it´s raining. Although it is not Hawaii, we cannot complaint of the weather here in Barcelona.
Arm warmers, tights, and a beanie, and I’m good to go for a run. The TM is there as a backup for icy days.
Sunrise/sunset is currently 7:15-4:30 respectively. I work 8-4:30. Lots of treadmills and trainers. Getting a solid swim block in now because in only a few months I’ll need to wake up a half hour earlier to shovel the car out before 6:00am swim times.
More indoor training but also man up and get on with it!
Any day it is over 45 out side, I will run outside. If the wind is not too bad, I will still ride outside. Swimming is still new for me – I just started earnest Triathlon training 2 weeks ago; biking 6 months ago. I have been running for 3+ years (I am a 54 yo male).
Otherwise, the bike is in a Cyclops Fluid2 Trainer, and my work provides a significant discount at the YMCA for a treadmill. My wife is also starting to swim, as this is the best exercise for a person like her with bad allergies.
Thank you Ray for this great blog, and stay safe!
I move the bike onto the turbo in the conservatory, keep swimming in the local pool and do more squash/badminton to make up for the drop in running miles. Still try to get out for the odd (chilly) run at a lunchtime though.
Winter time is gym time – running on ice isn’t fun and dry cold air is hard to breathe.
More trainer, more running, more clothes.
Here in Northern Spain we know pretty well what winter is, and if we have to wait for warmer days to come them we lost six months. So warm clothes and a bit of bravery is all we need (a Fenix3 could be a perfect addition)
During winter no bike, fewer running, more swimming, little turbo and gym
No real change, just put on warmer gears for my running sessions and switch one interval running with RPM (Les mills) at the gym…all of this of course when my stress fracture of the patelar tendon will be over :-(
I guess the next 1 or 2 months will be about swimming and easy riding.
Change sports — indoor biking in winter, outdoor in summer!
I live in the Pacific Northwest. it is rainy here all the time, so I continue to train as always. The only thing that makes me go inside in the winter is if it gets really stormy.
Lights on the bike and warm clothes.
Indoor runs….braving the elements outside on rare occasions and taking some extra Shred415 classes in Chicago.
I typically put the bike away and just dress warmer for runs and get the rowing machine going.
I switch from running and cycling to skiing.
My winter running training plan is exactly the same as in spring, summer or autumn. I like the cold weather.
I usually run along the whole year… except for winter! I adapt a bit my schedule to the letargic environment and i workout mostly when i feel like it
No change in training. winter is for cold thermogenesis but I’m in California so it’s not terribly cold.
Maybe a long sleeve undershirt. One of the perks of living in Florida.
Lots of trainer rides for me here in DC once the snow hits. Until then, I’ll be “roughing it” with winter bike gear keeping me warm on the rides.
Pool wise not much changes as we have tons of open pools around here all winter.
Though I wouldn’t mind being one of those lucky ducks living in Hawaii!
I am hoping that this winter will finally bring natural snow and I can include cross-country skiing in my training. I can not run because of my knees anyhow and cross country skiing is almost as close to running as possible. And in the northern part of the world it requires quite a lot of motivation to train outside if it is muddy and dark. So I swim inside, probably start indoor biking at some point and hope for nice skiing weather.
One day I might actually wear a watch…
I’d like to do workouts and stare at said watch, if only it had a built it go pro to catch my fall as I don’t see the rock on my trail run so I could laugh at my hilarious face.
Thanks ray!
My annual A race is Ironman South Africa, start of April, and it hits just as we head into winter. I take 2 weeks completely off and then do 2 weeks of “fun” activities. Then 2 weeks of easy but regular training then back into full training although more indoors. It being South Africa though I still do most runs outside.
Here in London, the weather never gets that cold, just wet and a bit miserable! So, I’ll reduce the miles a little, but otherwise, suck it up and get on with it!
Plus, there’s always XC to get involved in. :)
Being in Texas, the temperature doesn’t get too cold to keep everything outdoors. Arm/leg warmers on the bike is about all I change!
just wear warmer gear!!!
more swimming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cold weather in Calgary Alberta so have to dress for the long cold runs. Try to ride more stationary bike in the winter. This year definitely need to do more strength training.
I shift to more indoor running/biking (treadmill, trainerroad) through the week. Generally ignore swimming for a few months. I’ll still venture out for runs outdoors in the worst of winter here in Chicago on the weekends :)
More treadmill, elliptical, rowing, and stationary. Less races.
Gym, biking on a trainer, indoor swimming. :)
dress warmer for running, often ride inside
I do change. More treadmill and swimming than running and biking. I also play more basketball.
I keep running outside (hate treadmills) but most of my cycling is in the basement on the trainer.
Mostly I slack off over winter, but this year I’m trying harder to keep training. Will be setting the bike up on the turbo as the late sunrises and early sunsets make road riding incompatible with my family commitments. Running should carry on as usual, although not if it’s raining heavily (I can cope with a little rain, but don’t want to get soaked to the skin). Swimming will be pool-based with my tri club – indoors, so not affected by the season.
The biggest problem is motivation, with illness also causing problems with long breaks in training…
Warmer gear and more indoor cycling than running during the winter months.
I still run outside, but I replace some of those really cold morning runs with a trip to the gym.
Trail running, more computrainer time (to build that winter base) and plenty of fat tire fun to keep me busy during the snowy season.
I moved from snowy West Virginia winters to the sometime chilly winters of South Carolina, so the biggest adaptation for me is the earlier sunsets. I plan my rides for the weekends to avoid the trainer as much as possible. I’m able to run outdoors with an added layer, and some fluorescent running gear to avoid the treadmill.
This winter I’m planning on adding in more cross training to try to increase my strength and flexibility.
I live in the sub-Arctic so we have winter from November to Aprilish. For those months everything moves inside – indoor soccer, indoor training and some bouldering. Plus some skiing but that doesn’t really count as “training”!
The trails are too snowy for running where I live (Utah) so in addition to fun downhill skiing I’m also looking at picking up ski mountaineering (going uphill with skins).
Here in Oklahoma, I just bundle up! Leggings, gloves, face-masks, etc… but if the conditions are bad for running (ice, snow, rain, tornados, etc…) I just skip that day (Woo Hoo! Surprise “rest day!”) :)
I like my 920XT, but not because of it’s stylishness…. ;)
Je m’habille plus chaudement surtout que j’adore courir en hiver
I adapt with more indoor cycle workout and I decrease the intensity of my running workout. And I swim more often in the swiming pool outside with the snow on the side :-).
I start going to spin classes and more swimming. Still try to run outside for most of the winter!
I have the luck that weather is pretty good al year long, so I just keep riding!
I was lucky enough to cycle the whole year in Alicante (Spain) until I moved to Finland… since then I have to switch to running on snow, cross-country skiing (like a duck), or doing some indoor training.
Living in Reno, NV it always depends on how much snow we get. I like to change things up and incorporate snow shoeing, skate skiing, and snow camping. And lots of Trainer Road!
Here in Denver I mostly put the bike away in the winter, but I keep an eye out for those 40 degree sunny weekend days where the paved paths are clear and head out then. I’ve even been able to get in a Christmas morning ride before. Running doesn’t change, but that sometimes means slogging through heavy wet snow out in the park. I could wait until they plow but then I wouldn’t feel so tough.
Spinning classes at my local gym!
In indiana, more time for strength training.
2016 will be my first Ironman so I’ll be doing swimming, spinning, treadmill runs, and, like usual, getting outside on any non-snow-covered-road day to run.
For winter, swimming moves from the lake to the pool, and the bike gets put away so there is more time to run in the snow.
Mostly stay inside in Minnesota. Maybe some cross country skiing.
In Maine I try to do anything I can to get outside like x-county ski or mtb on snow. Winters in Maine are long.
More runs in the morning. longer and slower runs on Saturday and Sunday.
It’s summer all year long here (Brazil). No need to adapt
this year, the winter offseason = ski season
Some cross-country skiing, but never forget cycling totally.
I focus on performance enhancements that I avoid changing during race season.
This winter I’m working on upping my run cadence to 180 steps per minute, my swim cadence to 80 stokes per 100m and working on my ability to hold a constant power output on the bike. Last winter I worked on improving my running foot-strike.
I’m also learning how to high-dive :)
Buffalo, NY sure isn’t Hawaii. I spend many hours on my Kickr and at the university pool. Nothing like trekking through 2 feet of snow to jump in water.
Since I live in NYC, during the cold and windy weather it is time for indoor training. Treadmill and Spin Bike at the gym in the mornings, and Kickr at home nights and weekends.
Thinking of swapping roads for trails and swimming for kayaking this winter.
I live in LA. Winter doesn’t exist here, so I just keep on keeping on. I do take a little down time at the end of the year, though, just to give my body a break.
Living in the south, I look forward to the temperature change!! It means longer workouts!
I don’t like running on a treadmill so I just put on a couple of extra layers and remove as needed.
I adapted my training by moving to the canadian west coast! Haha all jokes aside trainer rides but still run outside with layers of clothing!
Living in Mexico the concept of training (or golf) season is never an issue!! You should come down more often!!
Typically run during the summer then do treadmill runs during the winter. Learning how to swim so hoping to give it a try this winter.
Once winter hits, and my cross season is over the first week of December, I switch gears to MTB night riding with friends. That and indoor power training until end of January. Then time for base building.
I live in southern utah so no real excuse for becoming lazy, but I do take some time to recover after all my spring, summer and fall races. I’ll pick back up in January. But until then, whatever feels fun that day (a group fitness class, a run if it’s sunny, spin on the trainer to catch up in some Gilmore girls episodes, or sitting in my lazy bum with a good book).
In the winter I switch over to skiing (cross country). I still run regularly, but most long and hard workouts are skiing.
Winter? What’s that?
Oh yeah, that season of the year were the temperature only hit 32C in the Dominican Republic!
Actually, I find that winter time is inspiring. I adapt by using the snow to make slow, but harder runs. It is also fun when the snow is really deep!
I still escape to run outside during the winters here in Wisconsin, but I’ll also be heading out to yoga a lot more and focusing on making sure I can hit 2016 injury free!
The only change I make here in the Netherlands is to wear high visibility clothing due to the dark nights.
Trainerroad and zwift, more layers for running (and fewer miles overall). I’d say I swim more in the winter, but I’d be lying… I need to get to the pool more often than not at all :)