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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.
Here in Dominican Republuc we dont know what is winter
I live in southern Spain, we don’t have much of a winter to speak of, so just a light jacket and start wearing a wetsuit for SUP surfing. The one thing that bothers me is the daylight savings time change takes away our afternoon sunlight, gets dark around 6 pm.
Weather-wise the winter isn’t much of an issue here in California, but it’s more about focusing on base phase. Reduced SBR volume and more strength training.
I adapt my training schedule for winter by digging out the Gabba and Nanoflex Bibs, drinking a big mug of MTFU before each ride and just get out there and get cold, wet and miserable. In short, more miles and less smiles.
I do the same just with more clothing. Races are still done in a vest, I just freeze my ass off before and after.
I really just wait until it is warm enough to go outside and train , who really wants to go outside and get your snot frozen to your face !?
I will be eating more turkey and pie to build up protein stores.
Living in Birmingham, UK the weather can be up and down, as long as the rain and ice isn’t too bad then I still train outside on a winter bike. The good bike goes on the trainer for wet or icy days and I use a pay as you go gym for the treadmill if it’s really cold!
I try to stay on the bike and outside as much as possible during the winter. My training shifts to a lot of LSD and base work, focusing on trying to correct weaknesses in my game as much as possible. I also head back to the gym and incorporate more strength work, not just to aid with my training, but to shake up the routine and do something a little different, and a little fun.
Cycling: Intervals from November to February and endurance and hills the rest of the year.
living in maine, the bike goes indoors on the trainer until about april (cold and dark early), and running is only outside when there is not any ice on the road. I do run on the treadmill once a week if I can’t get outside cause of the snow. Swimming does not change.
The sun is already down by the time I leave work, so I would have been running most evenings, rather than my usual cycling. But I broke my foot four weeks ago, and have to wait another four before the doc says I’m good to go. So, right now my revised winter training involves not eating too much. :(
Being in a tri club is convenient for training locations (swim and run) and motivation…
– swim: going back indoor
– bike: home trainer in the living room (I became a Trainer Road addict last winter :p)
– run: once a week indoor on a 200m track + once a week outside on packed snow, with many layers (last winter was rough here in Canada, we got -20/-30°C for nearly 2 months :x)
+ XC skiing (skating): tried this last year and liked it, I’ll carry on this year
Since Im living in Norway, all HIT in the winter is on crosscountry skiing, all the recovery+low effort training is on the indoor bicycle
more time in the gym and pool, running rather than cycling when the weather gets too bad. i don’t do indoor trainers or treadmills. some skiing for fun :)
Training becomes secondary to skiing.
Living in Tucson, it’s finally cool enough to run later than 6AM.
Way to go DC, would love this product to get me back into running again!
I run much more in winter than in summer because I can’t stand the the high temperatures in summer. So bring it on!
Live in Florida so I get to swim, bike, run all year. Winter is more run heavy though.
Yeah…I basically hit the treadmill instead of the pavement…not preferred but it works great. BUT I do get to go skiing which is a definite plus!!
Winter is quite rough on Finland. So, here are not much options rather then to change training type.
Most workouts are transferred indoors. Only running could be done outside, wgen it’s not heavy raining. Cycling is technically possible, nut it’s too dark for any considerable speed on open roads. Swimming is difficult in lakes, when water is +4°C.
Rather perversely I embrace the filthy weather by getting off the roads and onto the trails, xc running, mtb’ing and cyclocross. It’s safer than being on dark wet roads and if you age going to get dirty you might as well get really dirty!
Somewhat less running, definitely less cycling during the snow season (only indoors then) — but this is the great time for muscle care and overall body condition improvement before the next outdoor season starts.
Bundle up when cycling and spend more time running indoors.
more clothes
I have to adapt intensity cause in April 2016 i would like to challenge my first Marathon in Düsseldorf. Looking forward!
I’m a runner and happily go out in what ever Mother Nature has in mind. I cycle as well but fair weather hence Kiaser for those ugly days!!
The gym and Downhill skiing…Oh and the bike trainer but riding inside is painful!
Moving from outside road to inside trainer. Zwift For the win!
Indoors on my Kickr with Trainerroad.
Trainer for intervals and drills. Mtb and cross-country skiing for longer sets. Xc skiing is also especially goond for higher intensity sets.
Lots and lots of trainer miles plus mix in some really cold outdoor runs!
I start shifting my cycling workouts from outdoors to indoor interval Computrainer sessions. The focus here is to improve my FTP through a cycle of power and speed type workouts.
The only thing that changes in my running is my outfits. Outdoors all the way. If by chance I am forced to the indoors, my run will be consumed with the utter unhappiness of a treadmill.
I live in Canada, yet I still run in the winter whether there’s a storm or its -27 degrees. I’ll dress accordingly ;)
I live in Ohio where the winters have been brutal the past two years. I mostly run and make sure that I do so all year round so my body gradually adapts. The clothing these days is absolutely wonderful too!
I’m currently working in Indonesia where there is a hot season and a wet season (monsoon rains). The only real difference between how I train during the two seasons is my older shoes get worn more often to trudge through flooded parts of roads during the rain…and zip lock bags for my phone since I don’t have a watch yet. Good luck everyone!
With the Kickr, I do more trainer rides and use trainerroad.com during the winter.
I usually just keep running but wear warmer clothes. May change this winter since I’m moving North.
For biking I switch from the road to the trail, for running the opposite :)
Less training, more eating!
I switch to alpine skiing on the weekends – although not for cross training, but because I just want to ski. Weekday training on the bike continues with either extra layers (sometimes lots of extra layers) or on the trainer when it’s rainy or icy outside.
I just add more layers and keep on running through the cold winter months. Might try and add some snowshoeing this winter though.
I keep warm and dry by spending more time on the sofa. This gives me more time to work on a nutrition/hydration strategy .
Bundle up, reduce the long rides to twice a month, maintain intensity throughout winter.
I need a new “dress” watch while i exercise.
Just suit up! And as The Rule states; harden the fuck up.
I do adjust to more strength training and doing what feels like fun. Keep structure to minimum.
I train indoors or I’ll layer up!
Winter means cooler temps to get hot in longer and more often. Winter is when I run the most. Running around Paris.
Bike = indoor trainer
Run = trail shoes and more layers :-D
Awsome watch!
Texas has great weather for winter running. The cooler weather allows me to run more and train for a winter Marathon.
I just bolted some screws under my old running shoes and i’m ready to go!
I focus my energy on running outside when possible. Otherwise I work on more weight training with some short treadmill runs sprinkled through the week, to keep myself sane…or sane-ish.
I just adapt to the weather conditions, long sleeves, jacket etc. Did a rainy training just last sunday, loved it!
I really am looking forward to the first snowfall, I’ll go to some forest/heath nearby and hope to be the first who runs there!
For me its the conservatory with some big fans keeping me cool whilst trying to get up impossibly long hills on my Bkool trainer! Then a bit of Zwift fun
Even us lucky ducks in Hawaii need to adapt our training! Fall is hurricane season and winter can bring more rain. Need to break out the wet weather gear and add more gym work.
It’s the time in the year when running, indoor-cycling and XC Skiing is most part of the training and also switch from Edge to Fenix …
Fatbike + I love running in the snow! Yeah for Buffalo NY winters!
The winter = layers. I still meet up with a group for 5:30am weekday / 7am weekend outdoor boot camp classes. Since I have two kids under two years old, working out early is the only way to guarantee it gets done!
I live in Paris, so almost no snow or ice, when it’s not raining, just warmer clothes, gloves… And I’m good to go.
In Upstate, SC, winter weather doesn’t have too much bite. Some afternoon runs on the weekends or after work runs on the weekdays near the high temp (average high is 50 even in January). I bust out the running tights once or twice a year at most.
Living in Canada, spiked trail running shoes are a great way to keep running on all sorts of trails during the winter!
I put the bike on the trainer and my hat on my head when I run…
I head into the gym instead of the road. Too much snow in the midwest.
Lots of turbo training and technique work.
Sign up for races in warmer places to stay motivated
Put on some extra pants and running a lot on the streets)
No big changes just more riding on the trainer.
Can get cold and slippery in Colorado so we’ve got to bundle up and get some grippy treads for shoes. I’d rather freeze my face then suffer on a treadmill!
Don’t change your training – change your attitude!!!
All training miles are good. But the long, hard, tough miles that you put in during winter make the summer ones seem that much easier.
I still run before 05:00 (with the aid of a head torch), I get wet and cold on the bike (and enjoy a hot coffee more afterwards) and I still swim when I’m the only person in the outdoor pool at the gym!!
Does it do me any good? Well……I think the jury is out on that one!! But I know one thing – it makes my head stronger and let’s be honest – it’s your head that makes or breaks a race.
Like they say – train hard; race easy!!!
But, of course, if there’s ice on the road, play it safe – that’s what Turbo Trainers were truly invented for!!!
Up north here in Norway it’s not at all like Hawaii. Fewer km on wheels, more on XC-skis. Some more km in running shoes, some more indoors on the stationary trainer. And finally time for focusing on core strength and som yoga. T’is the season to watch your weight..
Slight change. A little more emphasis on running in winter, compared to more cycling in summer. Indoor turbo or roller sessions are the fall back for cycling in winter months.
I will start riding indoors on new tacx neo
More layers! Oh, and pool swimming only – no OW!!
I put on a winter jacket and leg warmers. A few trainer sessions (Iberian weather, so not that many).
I’ll be doing a lot of core and upper body because our first baby is due in three weeks. ;)
I live in Maine. In the past I have switched from running outside to running on a treadmill. The problem is every spring I find my running has taken a significant step back. I am determine to run outside all winter long this year so I have invested in craft country skiing clothing to run in. All of my year round running friends say cross country skiing gear is what to use for super cold running.
As it gets colder, the cyclocross sees more hours than the rest of the year, lots of layers and I try to do it when the sun is helping.
Nothing glamorous, more indoor and more running in the dark.
Larry
Treadmill in my basement.
Chromecast and TV.
You get the picture ?
Biking outside, with lights, and a littel inside on the trainer
Lucky duck that lives in Hawaii – no excuses for winter down time! ;( 4-5am runs are still dark!
This winter will be challenging because I’m pregnant! I’ll try to keep to the bike trainer and the pool!
rock climbing
So… I started to run frequently just few months ago. This is my first winter and luckly weather is good so far and I train normally. But i get some flu 2 weeks ago after some windy afternoon run. Still i’m bit worried for some low temperatures in december and january so I bought some warmer clothes. Hopefully like last year there will be no winter at all.
Put on the rain gear, living in Oregon and I don’t enjoy running on a treadmill.
Man, I wish I lived in Hawaii! I live in Colorado and I ride my bike in the basement & add clothes for everything else. But still swim outside year-round!
I just bought a trainer for the bike and when the weather gets rough I strap on my yak tracks or hit the treadmill.
It may not be Hawaii, but Living in Houston I don’t adapt it much!
I just run slower – not that I mean to but that white stuff under my feet and the freezing does seem to have quite an impact on my performance :-)
Love the fall colors but hate the damn rain and wind. But still ride and run as much as i can. Fenix would be a great compagnon
Why adapt to the seasons, resting is overrated? I go full gas throughout the whole year. Always in shape.
Winter can be really cold here in La Mancha. Some running sessions will be changed by home-gym and mountain bike forgotten until march because I’ll do indoor.
Adapt training by reducing the hours on the bike and spend more hours running (simply put on more clothes) & swimming.
Winter means a slight switch of focus. Running switches to xcountry running, great preparation for a step up into the road season next year. Bike falls to just the daily cycle commute to work.
I head indoors to the treadmill and weight machines. But, also enjoy downhill skiing in the winter, once the snow begins to fly.
First of all – keep the diet under control. Then a lot of swimming. This should work.
just got much worm clother ) I hate indoor training