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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/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.
I generally get my best base training done in the winter. I don’t know about what it is about layering up super early and just running, but it works better for me. I find my training suffers when the weather is best. Weird I know. Anyway, my plan is to get back in shape this winter! :)
I’m one of those lucky ducks living in Florida ;-) still training mostly indoors because of the convenience factor.
Unless there is a blizzard outside, I try to stick to my running schedule. The only difference is having to add an extra 15 minutes of a warm up, which basically consists of putting on all the additional layers of clothes.
Put the man suit on…..
First, I let myself gain some weight to find the motivation to train more easily.
Then in late autumn I do a bit of running, more than I usually do in the year (which) is not a lot.
By december I usually have a very large itch to get on the bike again, and by the end of december I start preparing for next summer season on the turbo trainer indoor!
Skate-Skiing!! Also lots of strength training and TrainerRoad/Zwift workouts!
Not much change, just Zwift! I run in any weather so np there
I love winter! Snowboarding, snowshoeing, backcountry, warm fires and hearty stews.
I’m due for an upgrade
Running: going to a indoor track (run outside as well ofc)
Biking: invested in a turbo trainer to keep biking through the snowy winter in Norway
My winter cycling simply becomes colder. Sometimes I turn blue. Darn lack of body fat. And by cold, I mean San Diego, California “cold”. So… you know… doesn’t really count.
Just forest walks and some yoga :-)
Winter means just shorter rides (because of daylight). 150 km max. For longer I’m planning to buy Tacx Neo.
I live in Russia. It’s always winter.:)
Making use of my treadmill ?
I switch to indoor cycling (home trainer) and a bit of swimming. I would like to add some cross fit this winter also.
Head indoors to ride on a trainer. Running doesn’t really change much.
Less cycling, more running
I’m in Ireland. So short days and long nights mean plenty of reflective gear. Then layer up and get out there. Although this being Ireland we’ve had days in December where the weather’s been better than July. So basically lights on in the winter.
Off road duathlons make winter months a bit more appealing. Layer up and find some hills
!
Putting on more clothes to ride. More indoor activities and going to the mountains for snow shoeing.
Those watches look awesome, heard great things about the Fenix. I actually train more in the winter(hours wise), prep for next season :-)
I change things for the offseason. Usually mid October to mid November. During that time I do everything else than swim bike or run. After that new season starts with more emphasis on sim and bike indoors. Might be even 100km+ swimming months. Running is replaced with nordic skiing.
As the cold weather and snow hit I bow down to my treadmill in the hopes it is still working. I’ll do a run a day on it and get onto the local outdoor hockey rinks with my 9 year old.
Bollate winters are freddi and I mostly train on the rulli even if at the weekend I go out with my bici on strada. If there is nebbia I use a faro to make sure that the macchine can see me.
Ciao
Up here in Vancouver, BC, Canada, not far from your original stomping grounds in the PNW…. where we happened to be getting hammered by huge winds and rain today. I do get out and ride in the winter (on days that do not resemble today), but the short days and rain make it hard so I do the Zwift/trainer thing a lot, as well as I play squash in the winter. You want a workout….. play squash. It’s like intervals on steroids. Cheers!
I’m a lucky runner from Arizona, where winter means that I don’t have to wake up at 4:00 to beat the heat to run!! So more sleep, and a few more layers. I’ll take it!
Well, first I put on the appropriate clothing and keep going in the cold. Now, if there is too much snow or it’s icy or something like that, I get on the dreadmill. Thing is, we moved back in June and I haven’t found the necessary parts to put the thing back together. So, I think I will be emailing the manufacturer soon to see if I can get the necessary parts. Short of that, I guess I will do weights and core work and do as much inside walking as I can.
We have very severe winters and my winter riding is mostly indoors on the trainer. I do more cross-training, snowboarding, hiking, and weights.
Here in Denver, increase speed work on the treadmill. Contemplating a Tacx trainer as well. Long runs still outside on the weekends – I just get too bored staring at the wall for that long.
Not quite Hawaii, but in Houston, we welcome the winter!
I lucky (from the weather point of view) for living in Brazil, then I just change the apparel.
I’m outside as long as it’s above 15degF and still light. Otherwise I’m indoors, either on the treadmill or indoor track.
Winter is a chance to mix it up and get involved in some indoor activities you might not otherwise try. Crossfit. Parkour. Racquetball. Basketball. Something fun under the lights.
In the Netherlands running in the dunes and on the road.
I’ll be getting on the turbo trainer and wrapping up on my runs.
I ride gravel rides and just put on more clothes when I run. Also, I do not swim in the winter. That is dreadful to even think about.
Replace outdoor runs with more indoor bike trainer workouts – swimming stays the same. Unfortunately, not in Hawaii…
Winter is time for more mountain biking and Cross!!!!
Focus more on weight training, spin and improving my wine palette!!!
Winter months bring empty trails! We regularly run a rail trail that gets quite popular when the weather is fair. Only the die-hard runners are out there no matter what. We grab our YakTrax and go!
Shift my cycling to trainer rides, do more yoga to focus on flexibility and get more weight training in!
Trainer in erg mode with Trainer Road for the bike. More layers for running out doors in the rain (WA state). The pools I have access to for lap swimming are all indoors, so no real change in swimming because of winter.
Just going to get out there wind & rain is Ok for running but when the ice comes a bit of indoor turbo training just to keep the legs moving!
I keep running in the winter, I just shift to tights, hat and gloves as needed.
Typically I’ve welcomed winter by switching to MTB from Road Cycling and by sitting on my butt and drinking. This year I’m planning on continuing my SBR training, albeit at a lighter load. We’ll see if my coach lets me.
Well, a month in Florida helps, but mostly move the bike to the trainer, bundle up for the runs and add more swimming drills in the pool.
I spend more time on the couch thinking about training, unfortunately! Then by Dec/Jan I put on all my gear and try to ride outside whenever possible.
Nordic skiing.
Cut back a bit on swim and bike and add more core and weight training.
I live in Australia, so when winter comes I just keep training as per usual but maybe throw on some arm warmers and a gilet ;)
Good climate is good for all year round training…
I live in the Bay Area, California, so I don’t have to change my training a whole lot! Pretty lucky here! I still run and ride almost whenever I want. The occasional rain (although more this year thankfully) just meants I don’t go for a trail run or mtn bike ride. Or I spend a little more time on the trainer.
Thanks for the giveaway Ray.
In winter I keep my racing schedule but change my clothes: thermal tights, windproof and gloves and hat when it’s cold.
Summer is here in Melbourne so it’s beautiful morning run time. Winter is actually a great time to run here, the odd chilly morning but no snow or ice.
Germanys winter is typically freezing – so it’s gonna be layers, layers, layers and a quick home warmup before the run.
Tacx Bushido and Sufferfest videos w/TrainerRoad
I don’t change – I’m just one of those lucky ducks living in southern california.
Love what Garmin keeps doing with its technology. Best stretch of innovation from a company in a log time!
No changing! I live in Lille in north of France (I guess you know it, if not you have to spend a week-end here to discover the north ;) )
it could be quite cold but we do with it ^^
Could be so happy to win this time, Fenix 3 is like my dream for long time
I search for a warm place in a quiet corner of the house and wait till spring.
By then I’ll be fat – but happy – and have some huge goals to meet :)
I hear this watch can light up in the dark? That might actually get me out and about..
I wish my indoor trainer wasn’t “dumb” as I slog away the better part of 3.5 months biking indoors. Then I miss my weekend lake swims as the lane guide in the pool keeps me company. At least it is generally reasonable to run outdoors in a Cincinnati winter.
I use my bike trainer and treadmill along with adding in heavy bag and kettlebells.
Waiting for perfect -5c and then have fun on snowy trails — by foot, by bike. Ja sitten saunaan.
Here in the UK it just means a couple more layers of clothing (and then chucking it off when I inevitably get too hot)!
Training in the winter just removes the open water from the training otherwise just suck it up (ok heavy use of the Computrainer)
Cycle indoors in winter, no change to running :-)
Not much changes in southern California. I may have to use the CompuTrainer a bit more and wear sleeves when biking or running. My swim schedule doesn’t change.
I use to adjust… my running gear, just to get comfortable while running only a few degrees below 0°C
I live in NYC, which gets ridiculously cold and windy during the winter, so I do all my riding indoors, and the bulk of my running indoors (though I still like to run in the park during the winter).
Nothing.. Always sunny in Malaysia.. Most of the time
Winter means more time on the trainer and having to break out the running tights and cold weather gear. And the extra effort needed to pull myself out of bed for early morning swims :D
a lot more swim sessions, crossfit, running running & running
Slow down in Winter in general and focus more on swimming and the gym. Still thinking about getting a turbo – but kinda too afraid to end up not using it that much…
I switch sports and beat up my knees as much as possible so riding when I can is even more enjoyable!
Cycling will be spinning and orienteering will be cross-country skiing if we get snow, etc.
I break my running year down into phases. Winter phase starts off with at least a few weeks off from running completely, followed by easy runs with no specific purpose, other than to have fun. Late winter I begin to train for faster short to mid distance racing in the Spring.
Some spinning and alternative training indoors… more layers when outside… and keeping an eye on the weather forecast to avoid the snowstorms. Couldn’t stand doing the same routine all year round :)
I throw the road bike on the trainer and struggle through sufferfest and trainer road. I also hit the trails with my mountain bike and hit the gym for workouts
Yak tracks and cross country skis
Just running slower longer distances instead of fast pace.
I just blow through the snow and cold/ice. No changes. I think it might make me stronger by pushing it in adverse conditions.
I run a winter half marathon every year so I just need to deal with the weather
Winter running is a matter of adhering to two fundamental principles: Layering and moving!
I’ll go skiing as soon as there is enough snow here, 200km north of the arctic circle ;-)
Greetings and good luck from the Paris of the North, Tichy
Well I just received my Vortex Smart after readng your review, so there’s that :)
Then I run all year round and swim twice a week as usual but will focus more on form and less training volume.
Next year’s A-race is Ventouxman, early in the season so won’t be taking a very long break, which is fine!
In Louisiana, you can ride and run all year long if you pick your days.
South coast UK so never TOO cold, runs no problem, love the cold crisp winters rides, pool swim and cross train with paddle boarding and cornish gig rowing, a great sociable workout options (tough too…) :)
Nope – not Hawaii, but even better….Kansas! (where we actually have seasons!)
Change it up by riding the trainer indoors, and running with coats on when the ice isn’t too bad.
Here Fenix, Fenix, Fenix…
No reason to change things up much since the winters here are mild. Having a treadmill and bike trainer means I can carry on when it does get cold.
I add more layers to my clothes but still run outside.
Lucky to live in the Coachella Valley of SoCal :)
Turbo turbo turbo. Now with added Zwift
Living in Norway, winter training involves putting on the skis and snow boots and hitting the slopes. I try to stay motivated in the short dark days by training with others. I’m told the fenix3 even has a ski function ;)
Normally I just run outside with more cloths and yaktracks when snowy but I have access to a treadmill. So no excuses.
Layers… more layers.
I don’t change my routine too much. I still run in 30-40 degree whether but later up and but and run with a small backpack. During the run, i can strip down and stuff items into my backpack as I warm up. I find running in cold weather helps build my immune system. Weather condition is the way to go!
Fatbike and lights. Boots and pogies come out below -10C
Once the rivers freeze it’s a whole new world to ride.
Thanks for the opportunity for an awesome watch! I thrive in the cold weather and look forward to it every year. My adjustment is up the mileage and intensity and look for the results. Also a few extra layers of cloths always helps :)
Winter?? oh yes! what a cold week, wasn’t it? Swimming pool… no way? 20 degrees…..
Kidding. But, in fact I live in Brazil and winter is not a really winter. So I usually don’t change my schedule.
Don’t change, Southern California :)
Proper gear: Training in winter requires a new set of gear for different sports but also as days are shorter outside activities require reflective night gear and footwear for icy conditions.
Scheduling is huge: getting time in to achieve your goals can be like juggling balls and motivation will be easier if a dedicated plan is set.
For training: Shorter but higher intensity activities to keep strength and energy up.
Just giv’r.