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.
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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.
Switch to XC-skiing :)
I just wear warmer clothes :)
I live in the Northeast so I usually suck it up when it’s cold. I am a firefighter so it is never as cold running or cycling as it is on a job.
Sadly I live in Canada, so not really Hawaii!
I keep running outside, on the road and in the trail whenever I can. I also switch to snowshoes running. And somme cross country skiing to complete everything while I wait for that damn snow to melt ;)
Thank you for the giveaway!
I form a painful relationship with the turbo, and try not to swim backwards in the pool while doing skulling sets!
More icy and snowy sports during wintertime. As I live in Estonia.
I do my running with lights on :-) actually went running the 24 days of christmas with 1-24 km pr.day – just only the same distance 1 time..
Not a lot of change. Will have a little more indoors cycling, and this much more focus on running.
Glad to see you’re safe, Ray. I keep it busy in the pool over the winter, plus lots of pushups and planks in front of the TV!
Adding in backcountry and downhill skiing, studs on the fat bike, and a powerful headlight for running in the dark.
Don’t know yet, CX season just ended and trying to come up with a plan as we speak!
Fortunately I live in Texas – so the Fenix will be used often!
But when it does get a little cooler just wear a base layer!
Always sunny in the US Virgin Islands
Well, here in the south south Texas we only have like 2 weeks of “cold” weather, and for cold I mean at least 28 to 41 F, at least, so with some light jacket you are OK.
BTW, love running on the winter,!
I move training indoors and add layers when outdoors.
The long slog back from ITBS – mostly cross-training and hoping for the best next season!
I usually don’t change my training in winter. For really bad conditions I own a Treadmill. But it must be icy or half a meter of snow before I use it.
More layers
Indoor trainer on my Vortex Smart
I adapt by slowing down, (re)building the aerobic and mileage base for running, and by getting on trails for hiking and trail running.
Intense work on my swim, and add weights back into the program. Cycling and running get dialed back with mostly indoor maintenance work.
I have been putting nails in my shoes and bought thicker clothes to run in. Looking forward to the Fenix on my arm :)
On winter I like to run when it’s cold and dry outside…. but the best is running in the snow.
Suck it up and train through most any winter conditions. But then again, I’m in southern Illinois, not Michigan.
I live in Indianapolis. I wear a few more layers of clothes during my outdoor runs and when we get several inches of snow I replace my runs for indoor cycling!!!
XC-skiing, Kickr, spiked running shoes and gym does the job. No excuses :)
I live in Portland so winter means rain but temps stay in the 40s/50s for the most part. Usually my main change is to figure out how to waterproof my phone if I run solo, and then adding a jacket, gloves, and a hat. It’s a pretty easy place to run year round!
Rock ‘n Roll trainer & Zwift in a covered 10×10 dog kennel (sans dog)
Lower volume on just about everything, but still running and riding outside year round. Yaktrax and studded tires go a loooong way.
Add layers, continue biking.
Just wear more layers
Winter time I can be everything to indoor….I have a treadmill, bike trainer and stationary bike..,,also hit the indoor not so heated pool
Kinda hard to run in 3 feet of snow. Everything moves indoors.
My adaptation is fairly simple, either its add an aditional layer, trail shoes or shoes with screws in them.
Fatbike fun in winterwonderland :-)
(and some indoor trainer workouts)
Gloves for running and indoor trainer unless perfect sunday weather. Reading you guide right now to buy a new ‘smart’ trainer.
Get the Gore Tex out, run steeper stuff, more strength training, more muddy mountain biking to keep the skills sharp, lots of swimming and some ftp specific training on the Tacx.
Trainerroad/Sufferfest to avoid the ice and slush on the bike. and attempting Slowtwitch’s 100/100 for runs this year.
More layers and a new chain for the bike at the end of it – though it’s so mile in the south of the UK atm it’s more like spring layers…
Move indoors for the most part, though it does depend on how freezing cold it gets.
I’m one of those lucky ducks that now lives in Florida.
I’ll be on the trainer more often for biking, but running will just be more bundled up. Swimming is done indoors regardless of time of year. Plus, Houston weather never really gets that rough in the winter.
I’m a lucky one that lives in the Southern California desert so my winter training is like everyone else’s summer training. My summer training has to be slightly modified as it gets way too hot once the sun comes up.
Living in Southern California I don’t have to adapt too much but I use more lights while running and biking due to shorter hours and may run a little more than biking because it just seems easier and safer in the dark. Of course warm clothes are necessary too, though luckily we don’t get brutal winters here.
I’ll just switch from cycling to skiing.
Hey! Here in Latvia I try to run at least down to -15C. The colder months of course more time in weight room and pilates. Pool time is from december till March. Man, that leather strap is sexy!
Luckily I live in Africa, winters are not so bad. Mountain biking and trail running continues and if the Cape of Storms live up to its name, I will opt for a gym swim session.
It’s never too cold to run outside
Love to have this amazing piece of technology around my wrist to explore the world.
run run run
No winter stops from running! It’s always possible to dress more, contrary to summer, where at some point you can’t (decently) wear less…
I live in the Mid-Atlantic, so not terribly cold. I will run outside in temps down to about 10 F, unless it’s real windy and cycle down to about 25, again, if it’s not to windy. So, outside when I can, but trainer and treadmill a little more
I’m crazy, I like to ride more in the winter. Love riding the bike in some weather, at least until the ice hits!
Break out the winter layers and headlamp to run in the dark.
Warmer gear, shorter bike session outside, more trainer rides. Run little change provide the snow is not too bad.
Like most, I put on the head lamp and some warmer clothes! Still have to get most of my runs in before work!
Winter is mainly about swim improvements and functional strength training. Hired a coach to help improve my swim.
Same workouts, just with snow on the ground (and calisthenics beforehand).
XC skiing in the winter, cycling in the summer!
I stop the outdoor biking. Instead I switch to the swimming pool plus gym excercises.
I’m a nordic skier first and foremost. It is finally time to get outside and do what I really wanted to do the rest of the year.
I switch to weights, rock climbing in the gym, and lots of snowboarding.
In Winter i often go to the gym and do Spinning.
I like also to do btt and run when is not raining ;)
I don’t change much at all other than better clothing when I run. Cycling is near 100% indoors, and no more open water until April. Intensity goes down for atleast a few months as well.
I’ll attempt to train outside as the temp or roads will allow. Otherwise, it’s the indoor trainer and the (ugh!) hamster wheel. I also usually add more trail running into the mix.
I don’t change the running routine, only my gear. Different shoes and added layers of warmness
Try to keep as much the same as possible (I quite enjoy running in the rain) just move the bike work and sea swimming indoors.
Even being in SoCal, I’ll take training indoors on cold/wet days (trainer, treadmill, track, etc).
Hopefully some cross country skiing if we get decent snow this year
Days are shorter so more night time runs, gym and pool swimming – but can do more as cooler in Hong Kong without the humidit. Weekends mean Trail season which is great and weekend openwater swimming as water not too cold.
I am on the trainer way more than I want to be even though the weather is still nice in California.
Even during a New England winter, I still run outside. Will try to add some snowshoe racing this year to mix it up.
trainer and screws in my running shoes
Not so much now but when training for Ironman in temperate Australia would train for popular October marathons usually Melbourne and use swimming and cycling as recovery
I am lucky to live in Portugal
Cleveland winter running is mostly slush. Nevertheless, it’s always outside and includes lots of shoe drying afterward.
Not much difference between summer and winter in Wales – so I just carry on pretty much as normal.
For me it is cross country skiing and running on a more slippery tarmac.
Cheers
I use the dark winter months in Sweden for low intensity lunch runs to build base and catch every single ray of rare sunlight that I possibly can. I also do some cross country skiing and pay some extra attention to leg strength with and for alpine skiing. Winter is also the season for high intensity squash, badminton and floorball.
Keep running like I do. Bike comes inside on trainer and indoor pool swimming. Winnipeg can be chilly.
Cross country skiing in winter
Thankfully, I live in southeast Texas and only some slight layering of clothing is required for winter modifications. That would sure be a nice upgrade to my scratched up Fenix 2.
I continue to ride my MTB all year, both in daylight and in the night. I run and to some strength kettlebells to add a little cross over.
I think the most obvious answer is to grow a beard and tough it out with a little extra warmth.
Since it’s too cold, wet and windy to ride outside (and I really hate riding indoors on a trainer), I tend to stick to swimming and running. About 2 swims and 3 runs a week, until march…
Just added some new warmer clothes to my collection to ride until the snow (and ensuing mounds of salt that gets put on the roads in Toronto)
Once that hits it’s a 12 week Zwift or Trainer Road (yet TBD) program and gym for strength and flexibility training!
The winter is a time for me to focus on those things that get a bit neglected come the end of the season. I take some time away from running and biking and add in strength work. It keeps me from getting bored and gives my body something a bit different following a long season.
Winter means nordic skiing all the way… With some spinning hours inside to maintain some bike feeling…:-)
I just need to put the right shoes depending of the weather!
More swimming and indoor cycling…might check out zwift!
I’ll continue to run outside when possible, and I will be moving to trainer based bike workouts.
This time of year in Houston, I focus on running which I can do outdoors most days, cut back my biking to trainer rides and swap swimming for weight training until January.
Count me in!
I usually change up my mid week runs, headlight, less technical trail running and more road. On the weekends my runs get lower on the mountain as the snow line creeps down.
I do most of my running on a treadmill anyway but still do one outdoor long run a week in the cold. For Cycling, I just switch to a spin bike. For Swimming, the put a bubble over the pool, but it is sometimes a cold walk/run to get to the bubble.
My winter training usually consists of free-weights training in the gym, mountain running and mountaineering- think ice axes and crampons :) Although the roadbike doesn’t get any substantial rest hehe
I happily only have to put on some warmer clothes for my winter training regime :) nothing else
Run, run and more runs….
Cold never bothered me anyway.
I move my training time to lunch if I want to go outside to train. It does not get too cold, so I can still get outside as long as it is not raining, sleeting, or occasionally snowing. I also train indoors on my trainer or a treadmill when I don’t want to go outside.
Run, Texas, Run.