Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, and plenty more! Go check out the full list 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.
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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.
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!
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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 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.
Was just in Fiji, with all the best plans laid for something every day, but alas, only one swim, one run. Many beers.
I slow down on training and drink beer. Training breaks are good.
A few of easy runs, recovering and exploring my vacation surroundings
The schedule goes out of the window before I even leave the front door. Keep doing a few runs on holidays though, but easy pace and max. 10K no matter what I’m training for…
Running behind my kid`s tricycle :-)
Running a bit and core strength
Training on vacation?????? I think you mean sitting by the pool having a heap of beers and getting fat!! Now that’s my idea of vacation!!
I run every day on holiday or when away on business, but just easy runs to explore the area. It’s the best way to see a place, and nice to have a collection of different tracks. So far I’ve run around the rock of Gibraltar, most of the Channel Islands, Berlin, and many other interesting places :)
Long run in the mountains
I usually prepare a navigation route, so I don’t get lost and at the same time it allows me to see the main parts of the city, everything in a quick glance.
Training on vacation is optional – running, swimming, whatever is at the resort/destination etc. Running is easy with a pair of shoes. Sometimes some laps in a lagoon or pool. The rest of the time is recovery mode!
an easy run almost every morning, before breakfast.
i can’t do anything else than something “easy”, as usually the evening before i eat and drank too much.
that’s if I manage to take vacations not during a training plan. Else, I do what I have to do…
Flat 3/2
81 Sanda Street
I like to run by feel on vacations without following a specific plan (which can be restricting) – this works great since running is the best way to explore a new place!
Use the vacation and run in new places…
Let my coach decide :-( but surely enjoy more trail running.
10 km run every day
Relaxing with my hubby – maybe a run or hike.
Sherpaing all the gear for my family is most of the training I do. If we’re in the mountains, I get a few bike rides in.
Speed training to keep up with my 5 year old son on the parkrun.
Vacation = free time so a bit more training ;) And hopefully with a nicer view !
Running, Always running. Just need trainers and away I go.
I reduce, but I do an additional training with my children
Ciao Ray,
On holiday i try to run and swim….
On vacations I get the opportunity to do outdoor road rides, however, given the risk of accidents and also dog bites, I keep outdoor rides number under control and I also do cross-fitness and indoor rides on my Kickr and my spinning bike. Bottom line, the goal is to finish the vacations as physically exhausted as possible.
I don’t push it very hard – usually go just for a short run (whatever I have time for)
So far it has only been a few times that I went running on vacation abroad… Normally I just enjoy my time off and give my body some rest…
a little run
I always press on at vacations
I’m stationed in Germany…aint it all a vacation? I’ll either walk or jog wherever I end up.
Just slow but long runs as some kinde of sightseeing.
Restart everything after a cycling crash. Hope making indoor trainer in a week, in a gently mode.
I always sneak my running shoes and goggles when packing. As per usual train early in the morning, then have the rest of the day to enjoy your vacation!
Depends on where I am. Normally I try to stick to my plan. Which, of course, seldomly works. But it’s vacation So who cares?
When I’m on vacation, I don’t do any structured training. But I am mostly hiking or cycling, so I’m active anyway.
Treadmill and maybe a swim or two in the ocean!
Running as usual
I usually do running and hiking on vacation.
Depends heavily on the location – if it’s a resort with few back roads I’ll get in a short run each day on the beach and do lots of swimming. If we’re out camping I’ll do lots running but also lots of hiking so this takes care of some training time as well. Most times the priority really is to just enjoy the few days we have on vacation! Always have a pair of running shoes with me though
Unless it’s a cycling holiday I always bring my running shoes for a 60-min morning run. Have had some good ones in designated running areas in the likes of Copenhagen and London. And it gives a slightly better conscience when the dessert menu arrives…
Longer training but slower, more enjoying scenery:)
Running, swimming usually.
No change — unless dictated by logistics, i.e., access to pool and bike.
Vacation means more time -> Easier to do 100 km+ trips on my bike.
Typically I take advantage of the scenic places and enjoy longer runs at a slower pace.
I usually try to take advantage of the extra time and train for longer periods, such as a loooong long bike ride or running for more than 2 hours straight, things that in a normal week, sadly, I’m not able to do.
Enjoy the holidays! :)
Running, enjoying the elevation that we usually don’t have here in Holland :)
I never cut back… Always try to do the plan…
Only evening beach walks
Check local Strava running segments, then try to create a route that includes some of the more popular ones (with a smattering of easier ones thrown in)!
Vacaction is running and discovering new areas.
Running and swimming only when it comes to vacation, they are easy to pack for and i don’t feel bad taking it easy so I can take in the sights.
Training takes a back seat on vacation. The itinerary is packed with lots of hiking and swimming though. Thanks for another contest, DCR!
Gym sessions after supper
On vacation I usually run and make some climbs
I have to keep running. I’m restless if i don’t.
Take a break and do fun activities as exercise
Walks and bike rides – easy
I always take my stuff with good intentions but usually end up only going out on a reduced schedule
Running through a changed scenery is always motivating for me. I tend to run a bit more on vacation.
Running stays the same, slower cycling and taking the scenic route.
I forget my training schedule and just run according my mood. I try to enjoy the activity, instead of focusing on running faster.
I pretty much try to change as little as possible or even icrease distances to get in some new and different scenery.
Actually really looking forward to Fenix3 even more after the latest update – straighlt line back to start should be a great help running in a foreign city/area
Running and swimming of the location has a beach or pool
I just came back from torn calf muscle & knee torn cartilage from playing football ,
Now I would start training for triathlon , as it looks like more injury friendly,
I think fenix 3 , would push me through my limits :)
:)
swimming! I’m trying to swim in each city I go for work trips but also on holidays, sometimes you can really find beautiful pools, especially in Germany and Eastern Europe (although the length and shape is sometimes sub-optimal)
Swimming in open water.
I switch to mostly weight training…. Focusing on the bicep curl… Beer to mouth =)
Every morning yoga, walking a lot surely and swimming if there is an open water near me ))
Relaxed pace runs.
Enjoy vacation, and thanks for offering this giveaway! When I’m on vacation, I work out based on how I feel — no set plan, no week off, just whatever feels fun.
a vacation for me is taking my bike to some nice hills to ride for a week.
And on other trips i always pack my running shoes and visit the hotel gym.
I try to do my normal runs. Checking maps of the place before I get there to try to find a good route!
I usually still try and get some runs in, but sometimes they just end up taking a backseat to beer and burgers. It is vacation after all.
More time more training ;-)
Vacation is the only time I workout :-) I am not good with multitasking.
If I get to visit my Tuscany, I’d love to ride all my favourite climbs. Too few of them here in Poland.
I stick to the program if possible. Except for that time at Disney World where I couldn’t find good paths, so I just decided to call the walking around and standing in line “crosstraining”.
Running… No better way to sightsee!
Vacation equals training camp. More, longer, harder!
Training plan goes out the window. Instead I focus on what I enjoy most: a mixture of long runs, and some slower ones to explore the area. I’ll probably do some swimming too.
I spend my holidays with my familly so running turns into hiking :-) Thanks and keep up the great work!
Weights if I can get to a gym with machine running. I know machines are bad but my home country is so cold that I tend to get very dehydrated running in warmer climates
Of course, the flip side is being able to use a sauna after exercising and then driving straight into a cold pool afterwards!
While on vacation i try to fit in a little extra. like extra distance or an extra session, because i have a little more time.
Bodyweight training (push-ups, abs work, etc), foam rolling and open water swimming if I can
I up my cycling over vacation, lugging my bike around with my family. Amazingly, I’m still married.
I try to get some other beach sports in for interest – windsurfing, bodyboarding, sailing. If it’s a stay at home vacation then getting some long rides in at leisure pace is what I enjoy.
Always pack the running shoes and do enough exercise to offset food and booze intake
light training, mostly running
and a bit of hiking
Vacation … lots of time to train!
If I am near a pool I try to get a few good swims in per day. Could be two workouts and one “mmessing around in the water” for instance. And running of course, from time to time just going out, seeing where I end up and then try to find the way back! New locals always inspire …
Vacation is used for hiking at high altitudes, so no training
Light strength training if the vacation is of the less active type (but they are seldomly are).
I try (often unsuccessfully) to fit in the most training time I can get but, heck, holidays don’t come every other week …
On vacation, I try to run twice a week (10k in the morning), swim twice a week (if possible, in blue sea water, no swimming pool) and bike with my family.
No pressure, keep calm, enjoy life and drink some wine.
A couple long runs or bike rides with no hassle, and then lots of easy recovering in between. Eating well and going to movies/concerts. The mind needs resting too :)
Vacation time is family time. I don’t workout unless I can fit it in around other planned activities.
just back from vacation…. did nothing except for the long walks.
Just got back from holiday in Mallorca and manages about 300 miles on the bike including some great climbs, few swims and 3 runs so pretty pleased with that effort. Broke my 910 too so timing couldn’t be better for a new watch! ;)
I usually rearrange my training plan to become an easy period. Walks or easy rides with my family or friends. Or harder than hell if I’m just by myself. :)
kitesurfing as much as possible