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:
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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.
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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/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.
cross-country skiing , treadmill and wattbike.
Indoor crosstraining
Beanie hat and gloves!
I just hit the treadmill during the week and get my long runs outside on the weekends!
It’s not the cold or the rain that really screws me in Winter, it’s the dark. I’ve tried in the past to use a super bright light off ebay and just carry on as normal but after a rapid unintentional decelaration involving a pothole and a tree I don’t have the nuts to do that any more. So all my riding has to be done on the weekend, with plenty of warm gear. I try and spin on the trainer every other morning, and I do all my efforts on the trainer once it gets cold (just because I figure if I’m going to hit ice it’s better to do it at base training pace than at 5min effort pace…) I also run. I basically never run in the summer, but there is something therapeutic about running in the dark and the rain and the cold. It’s weird, but I like it. Apart from I keep getting blisters on my feet :(
No real change from my standard training, more clothes and slower runs, sure. I use the gym a bit more to help build a stronger base to keep me injury free throughout the racing season.
I’m a cyclist so during the winter months i change bikes from road to mtb. I also do more runs and core strength exercises. And if the weather is too bad, i sometimes go for a swim, so a garmin fenix 3 is the best mate a cyclist can have during the winter :) greetings from Belgium
In winter, MTB stay at home, i’m just running :)
Plenty of turbo trainer work and running out doors in prep for the new year half marathon
Live in Italy…so no change. Run and swim for all winter!
Well, I mainly shorten my cycling rides or avoid them when there is a chance of black ice on the roads. MTB is an other option when I’m not too lazy about cleaning the bike…
Else, no change for runs. Cold doesn’t bother me that much. Less than very hot temps.
As for pool, I love swimming in outdoor – heated – pools.
I usually do more gym when it gets colder, and focus on leg excercises in between biking. I still try and get out rain or shine on the weekends unless it means ruining the trails. Although this year I have a fatbike and live 30 min from the snow. I may gravitate towards more fatbiking adventures!
Not any change of sports, only adaptations are that I’ll ride indoors often during the week as I train very early in the morning before going to work, and won’t do any open water swimming once the water is really cold, pool only. Running is pretty much the same all year, it’s only a matter of gearing for colder weather and/or rain. The only other difference is that on average I’ll train a couple of hours less per week, and more laid back, only base building and fun for the next couple of months, there is no significant event anytime soon.
Lots of basement training on the rower and trainer mixed with trips to the gym a few times per week. Winter = time to build strength!
I live in Texas, so adjusting to winter means I get to increase my training intensity!
I run more and more and more in winter! I hate heat and humidity, and I live in Georgia… so winter is really like fall for much of the country. If it is really crazy out, I have a treadmill in my basement.
Southern California.
Typically find it way too hot to train during all other seasons (anything above 70 and I’m sweating bullets within the first couple miles). The high 40s and low 50s of early-morning/evening Los Angeles Winter makes training intensity ramp up quickly. The good part about it is that it forces me to actually go through a proper warm up session before long runs. So, if anything, I feel like the OTHER seasons are when I have to adapt to deal with the heat. In the winter, I can run any time, any day, which is sweet.
Im a DIE HARD CANADIAN!!! :)
Running on the frozen canal or the Ottawa River is awesome! For a more intense strength training workout i go to Orange Theory Fitness!
LOVE WINTER- you can never be too warm;)
Being in Canada, I actually adapt my training for summer. Winter is my regular season.
Running as much as I can!
Awesome, again!!
Normally I hit the weights a bit more. Last year I dabbled in crossfit, this year will be more about the home gym/calisthenics.
Winter in the Czech Republic can be tough. Thus, I add more layers when running outdoor. And I do swim more because the bike is in a bag during the winter. Cheers.
strength training, lots of layers for outside running, and bike trainer work (to netflix, of course!)
Winter is out of order in germany. We already called the technician ;)
No such luck to live in Hawaii but all it takes are a couple layers and I’m ready to go!
I’m fairly new to serious training, started only this summer, but yes – I do plan to drop mtb for the winter. I’m going to mix strength training and some spinning indoors. Don’t really fancy riding when it’s cold and rainy :)
Run less, because it’s cold and the motivation is lacking….
Winter means HTFU and train outside (in frosty PA). Oh, and maybe do the core training I’ve been neglecting all year.
I run as much as i can outside during winter. if there is safety issue, treatmill and bike trainer are ways to go.
Winter here in Finland is severe. It does mean that most of my training moves indoors (pool & trainer), except for the runs and occasional excursion out with the cyclocross on the snowy roads.
hat & gloves it is :)
Winter means gym time. Trying to build strength for the next year. I do run outside and spend hours on the indoor bike trainer as well. Great time to catch up on DVD’s on the trainer.
Lots of trainer time and some skiing on the side.
Longer runs outside, almost eliminate swimming, dust off the bike trainer and best of all hop on my Skis!
Being in Southern California the weather stays pretty nice all year just a tad bit colder so only adaptation needed is some long sleeves and maybe head warmer for the cold my ending rides
During the winter I try to hit the gym a little more to improve strength and move my weekday rides to the trainer. Zwift workouts is going to make this winter more enjoyable. I live in the South, so I will still be able to get my long rides in most weekends.
Just run in the snow! (And use a trainer)
I switch things up by strapping on the snowshoes and hitting up some of my favorite hikes that are just too crowded during the summer months. It is a great way to get the heart rate up and enjoy a little solitude.
A lot of great trailruns are during winter time in Europe, so we keep on running! Just have to add some more layers. Like a long tight, longsleeve shirt, handshoes and a buff.
Hit the gym. Diet. Put lots of miles on the indoor trainer.
trainer and pool.
Here in Montana, we just bundle up and keep on running!
I live in Minnesota, but still try and get out and run 2 times a week in the Winter. I will also incorporate a treadmill run or two. My mileage generally decreases a bit, so I like to include some cross-training activities too.
Not much to change in South Texas. More time on the trainer as cross training for running season.
Don’t change much other than take my cycling indoors on a trainer and wear different apparel outdoors..
More time on the trainer for the bike. Indoor pool training is the same. Running is about half treadmill/half outside.
I change sports!
I’ll reduce running and increase swimming.
I keep running through the snow but move my swimming indoors.
During winter i change from MTB, to hitting the gym x3 a week, and riding mixed hometrainer/outside when the weather is good. This winter I will be riding my road bike in southern France because im working there currently. So perfect season prep for me! :D
Living in Texas, our winter is mild compared to most. I can typically add a few layers and still get my training done outside. I have a trainer and a treadmill inside my home just in case (although I think I use that more so in the heat of the summer!).
I’m in marathon training mode so I do a lot more running & strength training. I also just bought a KICKR, so doing work on the trainer should be a lot more fun this winter.
I run faster,simply!
Here in Brazil I don’t have a very intense winter, so my cold days are about 0-1oC in the early hours, and 10-15 in the afternoon (in COLD days).
So, I just suck it up and go out for a long bike ride..
Of course, in that case, we just don’t swim outdoor ;-)
More running, less biking, some trainer time, more swimming
I’ll still be running once in a while, as weather permits, but mostly I’ll be riding the trainer.
turbo, gym, pool and a more layers plus hivis for running
Crossfit!
Run outside, bike inside, and strap on the skis. And don’t forget to enjoy all the holiday treats.
Bundle up and get on the mountain bike. or sit on the trainer.
About the same, just a lot more indoors… pool, trainer, treadmill, repeat!
Well, I try to stay fit all year by changing sports. MTB is my favorite but I also love skiing. Swimming is in my third spot!
I train in Gym during Winter. Greetings from Germany.
Plenty of football, Basketball, spinning, gym + 4x Swim a week :)
I live in Maine and continue to run outside even when it get’s cold and snowy. When it drops well below freezing I will keep my runs in a loop closer to home so I can easily bail. Also, I don’t tend to try anything new when it’s super cold out, when the feels like temperature is -9° it is not the time to see if I can run longer/harder!
Sadly, I have to go indoors on the rowing erg once the water is frozen..
I´m a lucky duck living in Brazil!
The weather has been rubbish here in Oxford, England for the last month so more running, less biking and adding in an extra evening of indoor climbing.
Wear layers and hit the roads when they are clear. Living in Northern Minnesota makes for interesting training during the winter. Yes, I have done 17-20 mile runs on treadmills and indoor tracks. UGH! I will be doing more cross country skiing this winter as well as using my bike trainer..
Cool!
bundle up when outside, but utilize the garage gym and space heater more often.
Only on the worst days do I head indoors. I’m next to Cleveland, Ohio and we can vary in temp from 0-50’s in a single day depending if the wind is off Lake Erie or not. I layer up and run through the snow. I don’t like the ice but will do shorter runs when it’s not to bad. I also snowboard when ever I can.
I hit the trails – hiking, trail running,
Or mountain biking. If it’s too wet out…then it’s all core all day.
Try to still run outside, when possible, but bring the biking indoors (road bike on a trainer).
More swimming in the pool and for the rest…warmer clothes en somes rides on the indoor trainer.
Wahoo Kickr, Zwift, & MTB’s.
Thanks!
That would look great on my wrist.
A little more strength training at the gym and a little less mileage outside
Swimming inside in the pool, biking in my living room on the trainer, and running outside with some additional layers to kkep warm :)
Doing my first ironman this year so upped the duration of everything… Long and slow, here is rainy UK.
I change by resting!
I bike commute year around so my only adaptation is more clothes and spike tires.
Bust out my skis and run in the afternoon instead of the morning!
Winter makes the winner!.I run/mtb (Southern Germany) in winter using thin layers of clothing. Maybe a small rucksack. Remove layers (and put them in the rucksack) as you warm-up . Three hour rides, runs in snow without problem.
I live in Los Angeles. The high this weekend will be in the low 80s. (Global warming?) Almost year round I train in near darkness to avoid the heat, but hopefully winter will let me get out at saner hours.
I dont change things at all here in Northern Ireland. It can often be drying in winter than summer haha. But honestly I just accept that Im going to get muckier when I hit the trails and wetter when I hit the roads… but after 5 mins you dont care
More indoor work
As an Australian who just moved to Canada, I’ve never had to worry about winter till now, i’ve bought some warm gear and we’ll see how bad it really gets
On the ‘tank’ computrainer in NoVA!
For winter I run an indoor track that encircles a hockey rink. Also, lots of time on the elliptical with Netflix to keep me company.
I usually run more in the winter and bike more in the summer. Nevertheless , in Portugal our winter is usually very friendly :)
My Wahoo Kickr is getting a lot of love these days. Still running outside though.
I live in El Paso so no real change to my sports. Mostly just run and bike in these parts. The recent winds have put a damper on the fun quotient. :)
+1!
I put on a long sleeve t-shirt…
Cycling on my trainer, alpine and backcountry skiing and I would like to start doing cross-country skiing!
I do a lot more running and less mountain biking during the winter – the natural trails are too easy to destroy and there are only so many times a week you can clean a drivechain!
In winter i switch from mountain biking to “feet” sports – running, hiking….
and also more sleep and sweets ;)
Have more fun in the winter… get off the tri bike and on a road bike…. add group rides and more trail running. Good mental break.