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.
I switch from cycling/mountain biking to running/snowshoeing. But then there’s still some Zwift, Sufferfest, TrainerRoad, and fat biking mixed in.
I work harder on my swimming during the winter months. But living in Texas, I actually enjoy the winter months more than the summer. So I just layer up and continue my training.
I switch to indoor training in November. I will run or bike outside, weather permitting, but mostly I hit the local YMCA. I’ll swim in the pool and run on the treadmill until the spring. My bike rides switch to the trainer, where I follow some spin classes on youtube.
I just wear warmer clothes for running.
UK’s pretty good when it comes to all-year training – maybe with the exception of OW swimming. So – layer up!
Put a hat on, it’s always raining in Scotland.
Just being lazy! Building up guilt to fuel my next season.
I live in New England so winter means more treadmill runs and more meters on the indoor rower. When I’m feeling brave, I’ll strap on my Yaktrax and Petzl headlamp :)
I live in Bulgaria and I love to run. So no changes for me during the winter – unless there’s a blizzard I just go outside and run.
Come to Daddy
I just run slower and longer and switch crosstraining sports – instead of my bike I do as much of XC skying as possible!
More indoor activities
Sweet….I want a Fenix 3 so bad!
I generally run more often then in the non rainy times. I mean in winter (autumn here now) I don’t really care about the cold as much as I do about rain and muck on my bike. However I do still cycle more then I run in general (not matter what season).
So only thing I do is prepare my bike for winter with some greasing, other tires and some fenders. Training wise I run more and cycling long distances is something I’ll put off for a bit during the autumn but when winter comes around I pick that right up again. Of course if weather allows all bets are off.
I live in Malaysia, so I have to wake up early. Because it rains every afternoon in the winter months…..but it’s still really hot?
CrossFit instead of biking, couch probably instead of swimming, and running instead of running. I might do TRI, but I’m the runner at heart! Plus, well DC does not get that much snow.
Putting a second layer on my singlet :)
Thankful to live in FL so winter’s aren’t too bad. Occasional freeze in the mornings (I’m in North Florida not Miami, yes it does freeze) mean very few trainer rides are necessary. Only downside to winter is the lack of indoor pools because, it’s Florida. I tend to transition from tri’s to marathon training in the winter (pun intended) so more running in the winter.
I seem to get injured come november every year, which makes recovery and laying base for next season a very natural thing. And it prevents me from overtraining…;)
Not a lot of winter here in Houston but when I don’t feel like putting on a jacket I’ll jump on my kickr
I include ski Touring in my training as well as more cross training. I do less distance on my longer run and focus and strength, speed and form
Not much changes in central Texas besides no open water swim for a while. I’ll hit the indoor pool instead.
Well! We’ll see if theres snow coming in Estonia this year, but lot of skiing.
It’s quite simple. Same schedule, more clothes.
The last couple of years, I’ve tended to hibernate for a couple of months, then in Jan/Feb I start dragging myself to the gym for some dreaded treadmill time until it finally warms up enough for me to bear being outside (and stays light late enough for me to train in daylight).
This year though, I’ve set up a plan to significantly increase my pool time, and maybe finally learn to swim a bit faster. I’ll also be working on a bit of strength training. That will take me to March, when I’ll dial back the swimming and start upping the run mileage again.
Thankfully my winter training just involves a bit of a wardrobe change, as Souther California doesn’t get much more than a bit chilly during the mornings.
Running in the gym and more layers outside.
I stick to roads more in the winter. The trails in Rock Creek Park I like to run tend to get icy, and I don’t like to slip!
Live in wet Vancouver, I’m on the biek trainer on the rainy days and layer up on every non-wet day outside.
The sport stays the same but I’ll definitely add warmer gear over the winter. I don’t use a gym, so it will be frosty runs for me.
I do a lot of complaining about the cold and hit the treadmill/trainer way more often.
Even though I live in Florida and have great training weather all year round, I still have a winter off-season that includes more lifting and more speed work. Thanks!
Winter in the Houston, Texas area is better for outdoor training than the summer months.
Here in Miami, we can finally BREATHE! so with less humidity, our winter is like a long perfect autumn or spring! We don’t have to get up at 5:00am to run when it’s “cool” (85 deg as opposed to 92). I plan on sleeping in until 6:00! and seeing some of my new friends’ faces for the first time…in the light of day!
Add more clothes and run on!!
Weight Training, having fun with other classes I don’t have time to take during training season. Eat healthy and keeping on track for next season!
Hi,
Here in Sweden we use woolly underwear and electricly heated insoles in our cycling shoes.
Thanks for a great site!
Mats Carlsson Halmstad Sweden
I add in snowboarding and snowshoeing but otherwise, keep with the same gym + run + yoga routine.
Substitute backcountry and cross country skiing for cycling. Keep on running through the Vermont winter. You get some great looks from drivers.
Winter? What Winter?
Just shifting my running workouts from the morning to around midday and put in some warmer clothes…
I get the Kickr out and do more weights as well.
Less long miles outside and more hours in the garage on the nasty turbo & C2 rower
In Texas winter is road racing season now that we are out of the oppressive heat of summer. So it is a race, or two or three, a month from now until summer!
More cross country skiing, turbo training and gym/treadmill. Less running and road biking. And more headlamp. Much more headlamp.
Well,winter in Belgium is just more rain than summer in Belgium, doesn’t change a thing for the running (just one more layer of jacket), doesn’t change a thing for the indoor swimming, but I find the road and the tram tracks too slippery to go cycling : Is there an airbag in the new fenix ? :-)
I’m a cyclist so there are a few things that I do. I start to run a bit more to keep my legs working (just put a few additional layers and that’s it) and I start to hit the gym to work on my core.
I’m also changing a bike for a trekking one – the difference in weight between the bikes makes me work harder and gives additional results!
Ah sure there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad decisions about clothing. Get used to 4 seasons in one day in Ireland, and got to be ready for bad weather on race day.
For that one week, an extra few layers and workout an hour later, when the sun is up. Winter in Johannesburg South Africa is usually pretty mild.
It’s dark all day in the scandinavian winthers, which means I adapt with a lot of LED light on my shirts. TacX i used a lot in the Winther as well.
My wife is training for a half-ironman next year. That white one would look fantastic on her!
There is no change in training for winter. Can’t control the elements in race day way train only in fair weather?
Well, I’m sitting here recovering from a broken tib – fib! All told I’ve had 5 surgeries. Goal is to be walking by December and then on the fatbike by January! Thanks for the great blog.
Winter means bundling up and running when the sun comes out, biking on rollers and the trainer and more Crossfit.
Run outside, swim in the pool and rock the Turbo Muin for the bike.. Born and raised in Denmark, so the viking blood is strong in me!
Hello, 1 month total recovery season diferent sport, mental relax. Also spending more time with family, because during the season they are in a second plan. Also doing some medical test to search the weakness and trying to start workout for a new season. Looking over new event around and just cyckling with friend for a cup off coffe. december, january preparation for new chalanges on 2016 :)
I’ll ride my bike as long as I can but I’ll add swimming and gym for those rainy and snowy days. Swimming and gym combined with indoor rowing when it gets really cold and snow comes.
Bicycling -> gym
I live in Monterey, CA so the weather is never too hot or too cold. I stick to running year round. When I lived in Cleveland I just bundled up for the brutal winters and kept running!
I’m in London (UK), our winters are pretty mild. During the spring and summer, I suffer from allergies. So autumn and winter is when I ramp up my outdoors training. I love the smell and crunch of fallen leaves. Sometimes there is a pile of them and I’ll jump in – dog poop be damned! When we have snow (we usually do not), I love the way it swallows the sounds.I love getting sweaty in the cold and coming home to a hot cup of tea. I love to see my breath mingling with the air, my effort gaining substance, made tangible.
To be honest, although I am living in northern Europe I see no really good reason to adapt in any way. Ok, its a bit colder and you cannot run as fast as possible; but heck, the longer the run will be.
While cycling training was conducted according to schedule, just unfortunately on a trainer.
Now when I’ve switched to running, nothing has changed since I don’t mind running on a snow and rain.
Oh what a sweet wearable
I live in Florida, so its the occassional wetsuit swim or trainer ride, but luckily the winter is the time of year when we get a break from the heat…
Zwift to the rescue ! :-D
I’ll spend more time renewing my relationship with my computrainer after a summer of neglect, no more OWS but more time in the pool and using the VasaEgometer, hitting up the trails instead of the road on snowy days, and working on strength. Focusing on more on quality vs quantity in the off season and getting to see family more with no more 5-6hr rides on the weekends until spring rolls around :)
Winter is not so bad in CZ, but still switching a lot from running to yoga during worst month(s). :)
Lots of possibilites! More clothing, running and swimming instead of cycling, and going on the trainer all works for me!
No change whatsoever…
Other than my nine days of non on-water training. Where I swap training in wind, sleet, and hopefully a little snow (but no ice) for a trip to Sweden to spend Christmas with the girlfriend’s family.
No rowing, but a week of XC skiing and snow-shoeing…
Then back to the grind!
I have the benefit of living is southern California so my adaptation is to just wear more layers and continue as usual. I try to get out with the sun out to stay warmer vs in the summer where evening sunset runs are the norm.
As a avid bike rider I switch to cyclocross for the winter, hop on the trainer and ride inside a little more, and run outside to keep up the cardio! It would all be easier to keep track of with that fancy new Fenix 3! ?
I could get use to that on my wrist.
I don’t adapt my training, cause I live in Malaysia, Sun and rain year round
Here in New Jersey, where the weather varies from hot humid summers to snowy and cold winters, you just adapt. So I’ll be doing what I always do: continue running outside as long the roads aren’t too icy and adapting by wearing layers, wool socks, a hat to cover my ears and bald head, and a layer or two of gloves. It’s not so bad, the hardest part keeping the gels and water (adding salt helps) from freezing on my long runs.
Lots of pool time and extra layers when outside running and riding is feasible.
Winter is time to switch it up and refresh with some new sports like skiing.
Lucky to be in SoCal, still have weekends and weeknights shift to trainer
I tend to work a bit more on S&C for the run and bike. Do some treadmill work on the run inclined hill reps
For the bike I move indoors and onto the computrainer
More time in the gym strength training in snowy NY
In the winter time its easy… I just keep going. The rides will be indoor soon and the runs are still happening with a few extra layers of clothing.
I switched to weight training and running with lighter cycling on the trainer. In spring I will shift back mostly to cycling but with some light running.
Broken thumb so I’m off the bike for a while… so it’s time to cross train!
More clothes, new tyres and less intensive training.
Add in treadmill when there is ice. Hate it.
more indoor training
I don’t live in Hawaii…. but for Canada Victoria is the next best choice…. I ride all year round!
My fancy new Vortex Smart plus the dreadmill during the week. Outdoor exercise when the sun comes out on weekends
Long outdoor runs on the weekend (no matter if it’s raining or snowing), weekdays treadmill running, spinning and swimming. Oh, and I have a basic trainer (Tracx Blue Matic), too.
Wetsuit is hang in a drak room. Will enjoy the long hours in the turbo trainer with a new Fenix 3
Treadmill and turbo sessions replace the outdoor events at this time of year! Trainerroad subscription is worth it!
Usually a treadmill. Blech! Sometimes there a nice day to go side. :-)
Treadmill and spinning.
I do my best to HTFU for a long run or ride, then spend the rest of the day defrosting and drinking hot chocolate.
I tend to switch to a bit more running outside, lifting weights, and trainer time. As opposed to summer times where I’m primarily on the bike outside. Of course, I still commute to work if the roads are dry (dry dry or snow covered dry).
No big changes, just warmer clothes. I might try to do some indoor track stuff at some point if it snows a lot.
I am lucky to live in south Louisiana. What I call COLD is still tolerable.
I will spend my time running outside in DC, more trainer, and this year I am going to incorporate kettlebells to the end of my workouts.
Live in Dallas, so the winters are usually mostly mild. Although, I’ve also only been running since last summer, and at half marathon starting this fall. So, this will be my first winter to train at more than 5k distances. But I had been thinking of also joining either the YMCA, or another gym with a pool to start to incorporate swimming.
Wear more clothes.
During the winter months I run and play water polo, while commuting to work daily on my bicycle! I hit the trainer 2x a week :)
And yes I live in the great north!!! In Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada!
:)
I ski and snowshoe. Or, more honest, I fall down snowy mountains.