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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/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 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.
I’ve used vacation to start a new training plan a few times. I always run. One of my favorite ways to get to know a new place.
I tend to switch from riding to running, but it really depends on the holiday.
I try to schedule it as an ‘easy/recovery’ week, but otherwise press on!
My training shifts to more running focussed rather than cycling – simply because I don’t take my bike with me! – and I do enjoy exploring/running around new areas when travelling
running and swimming wherever possible
Spend most of them in the mountains: cycling, running, skiing, hiking!
i bike
As you wrote on vacation I do all training just simply to eating ice cream and chocolate bonbons….
I usually end up spending all my time hiking or walking around the city when I am on vacation.
As a cyclist who can’t run due to knee issues, training while on vacation can be a struggle. If I can bring my bike or rent one, I’ll do that. Otherwise, swimming works, or worst case, a spin bike or worst of all, one of those evil instruments of torture called a Life Fitness Exercise Bike that seem so ubiquitous at hotel gyms around the world.
Ice cream and… No, just ice cream :)
If in a warm/ hot country I replace workouts with a longer swim… does’t increase baggage weight and is more enjoyable…
I love going hiking during whatever time off I can get. Mountains make the best hikes.
I try and get out for some miles, but the wife gets frazzled when she’s out-numbered by the kiddos. When by myself, it’s a great way to explore the area!
my vacation is starting with a marathon then a week of motorcycle track training …
Relax!
It’s mostly running (if i’m unable to bike), otherwise sports like soccer/hiking. can’t do “nothing” for a longer time.
Since I’ve started doing triathlons (2 years), my vacations have been races. Prior to that I was a runner, so I’d usually find a local running route (trials if possible).
Bit of running to explore new places or swimming if it’s a beach holiday.
For running shoes there is always some space in the suitcase. It’s always interesting to explore the surroundings with an easy footing. ;-)
Adventure Racing! Those are my vacations. I am actually on vacation as I type this and start one tomorrow morning.
I simply try to rest
Whenever possible, I bring my road bike along and explore some new roads. And does golf count as training? :)
Just run ,run and run.
On holidays run for fun, no plan.
i usually plan to run 3 or 4 times and only end up lacing up the shoes once.
Do a long distance, 100km to 200km. Eat everything I find on the way!
Vacation is all about eating and running. Easy to slip out for a good tour around the town … And get ready for the next meal and drinks!
Running and hiking. Two months ago I was in Hawaii and logged at least 8 miles a day. I definitely needed a recovery week when I got home.
wake up at sunrise everyday, go for an hour run… its so pleasant to get out before the pace of the towns/cities gets going… usually when i get back the wife is just waking up, so we then got the rest of the day to enjoy… vacations are when i really appreciate the simplicity of running, just shorts, a shirt, and shoes, so easy to pack.
Vacation usually involves hours on my feet sightseeing or hiking… so no training needed!
Just some easy running, depending on where I’m on holiday.
I still do some running and swimming but small distance
vacation is usually on the motorcycle but if I can squeeze the running shoes in the side cases that’s the go-to exercise
I mostly don’t change too much and just keep on running and swimming if there is a chance.. and if not… oh well.. :-)
I just take the bike and running shoes along for small trips. Longer ones I just run.
I will typically stick to my run schedule, mostly, and overall take it a little easier. The last few years we have gone to the beach, which is such a different running experience.
I try to do some light running, but I don’t push real hard. I’m actually going on vacation in 2 weeks!
Vacation usually ends up meaning less training for me, often despite good intentions. This year I will probably have a coach though, and a more disciplined training schedule to break new ground.
Vacations are vacations are vacations so doing nothing at all.
Hopefully a few runs and some gentle swimming in between food and wine (and sneaking ice creams whilst my lactose intolerant kids arent looking)
I usually try and just keep to the plan.
Vacation = Basic recovery Training and a massive Food intake..-:)
I try to explore paths around my place of holidays
Vacation gives me more time to run. Being a slow runner the battery time a fenix would come in handy for those long runs :)
cut back on training while on vacation, lighter interval training followed by r’n’r
Love running to explore new places when on holiday
Will also swim if convenient
I start off running everyday for the first week, and then switch to burritos and ice cream.
Usually run instead of bike.
Vacation always try to sneak a run in, sometimes manage. Bring bike 1/2 the time if I am driving, but rarely get to find time for a ride. Swim only if lap pool at hotel (almost never). Come-on hotels . . . more lap pools.
swimming, running & icecream.
I take my running shoes wherever I go. When I can, I also take my mountainbike so it gets to see some real mountains as there are none where I live in Germany ;-)
Usually some short, but quick runs to keep the fitness up…
Virtual training by watching youtube videos & reading blogs…
Run! A good chance to run in an exotic location.
Well training does take a hit.. But some running usually does happen, a pair of running shoes doesn’t take that much space to bring.
on vacation this week….. Recovery week, swim, bike, or run, but only once a day
Vacation is the time when there for once is time for quality training and volume, the time also to think and try something new.
Yeah, has to be running, great way to see new places when you’re away from home, and doesn’t require much extra in the baggage.
On vacation I just run and run. And some mojito also.
I usually try and fit some training in during vacations much to the dismay of the rest of my family.
Rigid training goes away while on vacation, but I love to go for runs in new places – especially in the morning. Gives me a chance to see the sights before it is crowded later in the day when I go back with my wife.
Always running on holiday because you can do it everywhere but swim swim swim if a beach holiday but only bring bike if a race is coming up. Great site Ray—love it forever!
Normally walk everywhere when on vacation so am pretty footsore as it is and tend to skip. Might try and squeak in a little bodyweight strength stuff, but I am pretty happy to call a vacation a break from all routines
My girlfriend is not a runner, so I cut back on training to spend more time with her, especially when we travel.
I throw in a pair of running shoes and a foam roller. Do some nice and slow runs and some stretching.
Usually running as it tends to be the easiest way to get some exercise. No equipment required and a good way to go sightseeing :)
I used to do nothing on vacation, but now exercise and physical activity are part of the plan. Gotta enjoy it while I’m still young…er, not old…er, not dead.
I typically try to run since it’s the easiest when traveling.
I always bring my running shoes for some sightseeing runs.
Typically it’s cycling, hiking and some running. Whatever the sports, main thing is having a good time, preferably with good friends or relatives.
either run, hike, or road bike. Only take the bike when driving somewhere on vacation. Though it’s usually scaled back a little on distance compared to normal training.
running can follow me easily, whereever i am. i love this device!
usually i also love to find a spot for some light yoga at least…
Usually I don’t run and enjoy new sport activities during vacation.
On vacation I get up before everyone and go run for 30-60 minutes and get back in time for breakfast. Then I try to lean toward other family-friendly workouts (hikes, slow bike rides, swims, snorkeling, long walks, etc…) so that I can then work hard at eating ice cream, Shave Ice, cake, every day.
Running, swimming and margaritas!
bring the running shoes, hiking shoes and bike shoes. usually end up using all of them in the second half of the vacation to fight against the first half’s overload of beer, wine and fine food…
It’s a vacation, take it easy but make a little effort
Unfortunately training is always very limited on vacation :(
I am a swim coach so early mornings are the drill during time at work. Late afternoon finishes too.
So when I go on holiday there is some emphasis on sleep. Or there was. We now have 2 over excited boys who are trained to get up with me. Whether its holidays or not.
Oh, right, the training thing. If my wife sees my bike go anywhere near the car before the holidays… lets just assume the worst…
Running. I run on holidays… sometimes. After I watch Dora. And before the water slide.
Usually some running, easy to travel light.
Vacation usually is spent at my childhood-home in the alps, so mrs and me take advantage of the babysitter provided and head for trailrunning, long hikes and sauna. aaah
On holidays I usually do some open water swimming (no wetsuit) and some running – bike stays at home to keep family happy :-)
Vacation workouts. A change of place makes for a change in pace.
I usualy run way more than usual on vacation.
The wonders of more free time :)
In the past I didn’t do much training when on vacation, but Strava has enabled me to easily find routes to run in places I’m not familiar with. Now I always bring my running gear with and try to get out and explore a bit. I tend to keep things lower intensity to give myself more time to take in the sights.
I’ve had bad luck with reasonably priced bike rentals, so I don’t do much of that.
Definitely cut back AND include ice cream!
Just taking it easy. Maybe some hike or swimming on the beach.
beach running
On vacation, my training mostly shifts to weight work…more specifically some bicep curls. A few reps lifting pints of beer to my mouth. After a few sets, of that, I make sure I get a good night’s sleep to maximise muscle recovery, ready for another workout the next day. Actually Ray, is there an app in the Connect IQ store yet that could leverage the Fenix accelerometer to track my bicep curl workouts?
Running and mountainbiking, it depends on the location.
Training becomes walking, which becomes walking to places to eat and enjoy good food.
What training…? It’s a holiday
Cut all the way back! It’s vacation.
I might not do sessions, but I always look for mountains to run up… but most of my running is sightseeing.
Trying to hike around as much as possible to see as much as possible.
mountain running
Running gear and a GPS watch.
For the last ten years I have been doing this (starting with the forerunner 301)
To me it is one of the main reasons I love GPS sports watched.. It gives me a map of places I have run in the world
I love to explore new places by running / cycling when on holiday.
Try to do spin in the hotel gym. Usually they aren’t spin bikes so they have funky geometry and huge ass seats!
Typically I train a lot more on vacations. In the summer that usually means long bike rides.