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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!
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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!
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.
Generally shorter runs first thing in the morning with no real target just to see the scenery. No point doing too much on holiday!
I aim to take it easy, enjoy some new hills and views. I usually manage to go a bit easier speed wise, but curiosity takes me a few extra miles exploring enticing deviations: I wonder what the view is like from there? I ‘ll just nip up or bob over to have a peep.
Keeping track of where am I while looking for an open beer shop
I’m from South Africa. On my last holiday I ran the Athens Marathon and then went to Italy where my training consisted of walking from one Pizza restuarant to another carbo loading with Gelato treats inbetween before flying home 4kg’s heavier.
I run and ride my bike on my vacation;). Enjoy free time Ray!
Longer bike rides!
I do whatever I can get in, usually running is easiest, but sometimes I have a pool available or even take a bike. Plus having two hyperactive children to chase gives me a good aerobic base!
I bring my bike on vacation and try to stay on schedule as much as I can. Only difference is I eat and drink more!
I try to climb at least one hill at vacation. Next will be the Mont Ventoux.
More free time equals more and longer training. Get up early and train then start the day with the family…
Keep up the good work, Ray!
Cheers Marcel
I’m afraid I have to admit that vacation from work usually is also a vacation from training. However, I’m trying to be active and getting around much :-)
I cut back to running only in the mornings to avoid the heat, noise etc. and to enjoy the view. So kinda laidback like on a vacation, but still active !
No planning, just feeling…with the 3 kids :-) …so running in the early morning and playing in the swimming pool!
I make some Trail Runs to enjoy the landscape where am I am.
When I’m at my family summer house, it’s usually a nice long training run through the woods of the Polish lake district. When I’m spending the time in some city, I do, sorry to say, copy you, DC, and run around the city viewing the sights. It’s pretty awesome, if you ask me. Thanks DC for the idea!
I use my holiday runs to explore the area that I’m visiting. Sometimes I’m looking for local 5-10K races to get in touch with the locals and take home a shirt or a medal as a souvenir.
I cut back just a bit and do the training in the morning so i still have the whole day with my family.
There’s no plan. Just food.
I try and do an early morning site seeing tour of all the tourist draw cards before everyone is awake. Usually this means pushing myself beyond my normal training schedule.
My ideal vacation usually includes a lot of hiking in the mountains, so no more training..
Just a relaxed gentle early morning run to enjoy the scenery…
I try to have my vacation in the end of the summer (when all the fun races are), so I can focus on training and the race.
I just kick back, relax, eat great food (incl. lots of ice cream), tinto de verano and just enjoy being on vacation. Well this is when I’m not on bicycle vacation on Mallorca, where it’s all about riding the bike in the mountains :)
Usually cut back a bit to a about one hour a day, running the first day, strength the other, and so on. Once a week a do a longer run about 2 hours to check out the suraoundings.
Enjoy nice long relaxing walks enjoying nature!
Long bike rides (base training)! nice and easy :)
When it comes to running i mostly keep up with it, it’s one of the fantastic things about running; you don’t have to bring a lot of gear to do it.
But let’s be completely honest – most of the time I plan my vacation so that I can sneak in a few kitesurfing sessions as well, in my book that counts as training as well :-)
//M
Waste half of the luggage for running equipment and then leave untouched for a week. Makes me feel less guilty…
Hiking, sometimes running or cycling
On vacation my training is cut off to some trail runs around the village, to sight seen too.
Morning running sessions or swimming, depending on the availability.
lots of biking in my hometown
Switch to maintenance mode – relatively easy runs (unless I’m training for a specific event). Sometimes the vacation entails what normal folks might call a workout anyway :)
Depends on the type of holiday. I typically try to sneak in a run every other day. I like to swim daily during my holiday if the destination permits. Cycling is typically a no-go. Maybe explore the local trails if we can rent mountainbikes.
Usually some slow morning runs to explore the area.
Vacation means more free time and hence more time to be outside. So I try to spend more time on my feet, in the mountains running, as much as possible.
To my brother Kenny: if I win, this one’s for you!
Vacation / Ultramarathon trip to La Palma in two weeks for Transvulcania!
Whatever I can fit in! Try and do what I can, but don’t stress about it!
I do no sports on vacation. Unfortunately
For me it’s long, easy MTB excursions followed by mega loads of ice cream for recovery! I’m an ice cream junky!
On summer vacation I usually do only long runs/bikes rides.
Running is always part of vacation, I try to do it in different hours than usual and slower too. But never quit running. It’s part of life.
Every vacation is different, but my favourite would have to be a great run at sunrise in whatever jungle I find myself in (Urban or Natural).
I tend to run, but try to adjust it to not make it impose too much on spending time with the wife and kid.
In case of warm weather destination, my schedule shifts from running/biking to swimming. Pretty much the only time of year that I jump in a swimming pool to do my laps.
I always bring my running shoes on vacation, but I put aside any training plan and just run for fun!
on vacation snorkeling and/or scuba diving
On vacations I am mostly mountainbiking and swimming.
try to keep the balance between icecream and training
As I’m currently on vacation now and judging from my expanding waist, I’d say I’m doing a lot of nothing.
Vacation stays vacation, but I always love to go for a couple of easy runs. Running in other country’s is a great way to check out the environment and/or places to visit later. And there is always some swimming in the pool!
Certainly depending on the destination, but it’s usually early morning runs and lap- or openwater swimming. Have a great vacation, Ray!
I always say I should spend this additionnal time for training! but I often end uphaving a beer…
won’t be happening this time! (will it?…;)
A little running, deep trimix scuba diving training and some relaxing as well…
I fear I am in the “white wine and overeating” camp.
Vacations means, at least for me, more free time so i try to press. More running, more biking and more swimming.
Cheers!
when on holiday i usually do running an swim training
When we’re on holiday we generally keep fairly active. We try to avoid taking trains of buses to see the sights as we think walking allows you to see a lot of the surroundings you would generally miss by taking public transport. If it’s a rural holiday then there is a fair bit of hiking involved.
All in all, our holidays are for us to chill and unwind so we don’t keep to a fixed fitness schedule. If we have a bit of extra energy to burn – or have scoffed our faces the previous day – then we will head out for a run in the early evening when its cooler (we tend to go to warmer climates being from Scotland).
We sometime rent bikes but not that often, but if we see a calm bit of open water we are straight in!
on holiday its all about long slow exploring runs :)
Just curious where the holiday went? Pretty sure we’ll hear about it afterwards :)
I actually was on holiday last weekend in Singapore, following a business trip earlier that week in KL, and joined the Metasprint series sprint triathlon in Singapore. Great race venue and lots of fun! (Though a bit warm for someone from Northern Europe. Like racing a sauna!) But definitely worth it.
Vacation is quality time with my wife and baby girl.
I will however do some running, swimming or whatever when possible.
– and eat unhealthy ;-)
I always bring my running shoes with me when i’m on vacation for sitesing when I run. Then mayby a couple of laps in the pool.
Running, running. Them gains don’t come easy
Cut back but at least do a run, swim when possible.
No energy to run because I usually spend the whole day walking on vacation.
Usually trail-running, or hiking. But if it’s possible, mountain biking. My vacations are quite active with hiking, kayaking, swimming etc.
I like to run. It’s easier to pack a pair of running shoes than it is a bicycle, and all the accessories that go with it!
Try and run if I can, or long walks with the family
Strictly following a schedule
5ks every few days in an attempt to maintain fitness. Cycling is just too much fuss finding a route, finding a bike and then it’s too time consuming.
typically we are looking after triathlon events which we can combine with trips abroad…
Local fitness gym and swimming + spa where possible.
Crosstraining, i do a lot more of crosstraining in vacation.
I summer swimming at the beach. When the time is cold, trail-running.
Cut back but and a short morning run, for sure some ice cream and chocolate
I tend to in general active vacations, always fitting some hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, skying in the middle. But I usually always do body weight exercises, like squats, burpes, moutain climbers, planks. These you can always do in the hotel room, although I’ve had some noise complaints after burpees and jumping jacks. And off course, I run outside (if it’s not raining I confess).
Lot of running, as I usually do not bring bike with me.
Trail running in the mountains during my vacation, because we don’t have mountains in the Netherlands :)
Because I’m not taking my bikes with me, in vacation I’m running as much as possible.
Try to stick to the schedule. Stationary bike instead of regular bike.
I always try to keep on training schedule but you know sometimes it is hard
All training just simply shifts to eating ice cream and chocolate bonbons.. :)
I will usually run some shorter distances. If I’m training for an event I’ll try to stay on schedule. Have run around Disneyland at night after a day of walking…got some funny comments from others. :-)
Taking things easier, but always looking for a new trail to go run and see the views
Some relaxed, extended running. And lots of ice cream.
On Vacation it’s time to go to the French Alps, climb some mountains on my racing bike en make some hikes…
Plan to have a run on Sat.
Family Time
mostly chilling out so swiming and hikking :)
I’ll take it a bit easier during the vacation, but still try to get a few workout in!
Training is harder on vacation… it is counter intuitive but the wife does not understand why I would miss on being with the family. I do a ton of travelling for work, and that is when I train normally.
Mostly running and cycling and unfortunately ice creams…
Regards
Bond
On the way back from vacation, been running or swimming daily in Port Douglas! Been snorkelling and diving at the great barrier reef aswell! also lots of walking!
with vacations in Provence, training turns into rose wine, cheese and lamb chops on a bbq… we all need a break!
I generally ease up on the training a little, but not entirely because I want that gelato!
I take advantage of the location. Mountains? Trail run. Seaside? Swimssssss. Airplanes? Forearm/hands workout on the laptop. Cities? Gazillion miles of walking until friends/partner give up and I’m free to go swim/bike/run wherever and whenever I want. Win Win.
Wish you some quality free time Ray! Have a nice day you all
I take the opportunity to do more running and cycling because I have more free time and there are places to explore.
My last vacation was skiing so that was the cross-training sorted each day :)
Otherwise I’d try to weave something into the day with my family, could be a short run, or a bike hire, or a swim in the sea – never really challenging, but something to keep me ticking over :)
Holidays are usually the best places I get to run! Usually take it a little easier though.
Back to basics with TRX training and the odd run if a nice route is available.