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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.
I live in Rural (very rural) northern Utah so more layers and a treadmill when there is ice (icy cattle guards are not good) on the roads. Mostly I add bike (stationary) time because it is hard to hit training goals at consistently sub 20F temp, but I do my best to run outside every day because I love it!!!!!
Road bike goes on the trainer and the mountain bike gets used a lot more.
I start using the treadmill more first thing in the morning while it’s still dark outside and for some variety I try to add in a couple of pool swims each week too.
Thankfully my hours at work mean that I can still run in daylight a couple of times a week too!
I live in LA now, so I’ll just be putting on a long sleeve shirt before I go run. In the past, though, I’ve lived from upstate New York to Kansas to Florida, and I’ve had to adapt my running to those climates. The point is, I won’t stop running unless it’s extremely cold. Just put more layers on and run.
I take my running inside on the hamster wheel (treadmill).
There is no such thing as bad weather, just poor preparation. I plan to ride all winter long. Maybe a little trainer supplement to account for less daylight, but will still ride most days.
I’m just about to change to the spike tires on the bike. Winter is great for some cycling on packed snow! :)
In Luxembourg, main adjustment is changing the shoes – gortex required, cause plenty of rain and mud!
In Portugal, no change :-)
I mostly run, so that continues with more layers. Will try and get more trail miles in this winter.
i’ll be lifting some waights
After nearly 18 years without having any real sport activity, I just started back running (for a few months). I have yet to face cold and rain, but I guess I’ll simply add layers. At Winter time I’m mostly in Paris area, so it’s not that cold anyway. Not like in my birth area, where a -20°c is common.
Run on an indoor track 3 days a week.
Run slower on icy, snowy roads.
I do most of my bike riding on the trainer indoors, more layers when running and all swimming in an indoor pool. I also try to add in more strength training and work on getting down to race weight.
I switch from road to mountain biking. And put more clothes on.
Just a bit less of outdoor running and a bit more of indoor swimming…
I wear a few more clothes and pick my routes carefully.
I enjoy riding on the trainer during the winter!
I train just as hard in winter as I do in summer. Nothing different…except for wearing more layers lol
I’m concentrating on running and will be getting an indoor trainer in conjunction with my move to Toulouse.
I fortunate enough to live in Northern California… it gets a little cooler, but weather doesn’t affect my training too much. That said, I spend more time riding on the road and less on the velodrome, and more time on the trainer and in the weight room.
MTB instead of Racebike.
Indoor cycling with Wahoo KICKR and Zwift.
More focus on strength training and swimming (indoors). Trainer rides and outdoor running (Florida) follow those. Shorter HIIT sessions; minimal long/slow sessions.
I’m a rower – so the winter turns into plenty of indoor erging and a mix of strength & flexibility training
Living in New England we are somewhat acclimated to the cold, however last year there was so much snow the sidewalks were mostly impassible for running. This year I’ll be embracing the snow with a pair of snowshoes on the trails and supplement the rest of the time in the gym, strength training and improving my pathetic lung capacity with laps in the pool.
Here in Montreal, winter can be really challenging. Bike will be done inside with zwift. Running is outside for the long sunday runs and inside track for intervals. Swimming… still inside otherwise we call it skating.
Winter???? Panama City, Florida, US
I’m from Ohio and enjoy running in the cold. The air is cold and crisp and things seem a bit more quiet compared to the warmer weather. I also enjoy trying out new combinations of layering to meet the challenge of mother nature
In the Great Canadian North, I train in my basement on my Kickr for the bike. I sometimes run outside. The pool remains indoor.
Usually I become a bit lazy about it, but this year to help from doing that I have paid to get training plans setup for each week, which will keep me going. I have a treadmill I have used for years, but this year I got my hands on a nice trainer.
Ski season starts and running season ends for me. Plus some Nordic track indoor training.
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, just inappropriate clothing.” – Scandinavian saying.
In Winter I just keep training, in warmer gear, maybe slower when it’s slippery, or shorter when it’s really windy or cold. Running in the (fresh) snow is actually really cool! (figuratively speaking :)
Seeking refuge in an indoor pool and on a turbo/spin bike. Otherwise XC skiing and running/cycling with an extra layer.
Live in cold and rainy Seattle so I’ll hit up the treadmill occasionally. Otherwise, I’ll put on some winter and rain gear and run outside.
I just suck it up and do business as usual! Running, Riding, Swimming
Mostly running indoor and weight training.
My focus is on swimming. Running always works – a layer more is not wrong.
Biking: There is a Velodrome in our city – but I am not sure whether I will train there or not.
Relax for December then short frequent runs, 3 days a week of swimming and 2 trainer rides.
Running naked!
Luckily, I live in Houston, Texas so the winter months allow me to increase my outdoor activities to run, play football, more golfing, and generally chasing my kid around the park. The humidity curtails those activities greatly in the Summer and most of the “official” Fall months. Most of all I like to keep my exercise activities varied to keep myself engaged and add a fun aspect to it all.
You know how it is in Seattle, we go out in rain or shine. Mostly I switch workouts to winter sports like snow scrambling, snowshoeing, indoor gyms and stair climbs with a waterproof shell.
I change to XC skiing ….. and splitting firewood.
Little time off the bike at the end of the cyclo-cross season (November for us in eastern Canada). Picking up ice hockey and for a while and slowly going back to basement cycling around christmas (mostly free spinning). Serious cycling training begins mid-january. Will add some weight and core training this year. Used to cross country skiing as well… but hated this waxing thing.
Winter means pulling out the headlamp, balaclava, and leaning forward into the wind.
Hoping to get a Kickr to train indoors, but if that doesn’t happen, will hit the gym and a bit of running.
Time to move inside and start up the Kickr.
Bike on trainer in basement binge watching netflix. Running is still mostly outside unless weather is really bad then dreadmill. Winter swimming is the same just less volume and more technique drills to try and not be such a boat anchor in the water.
I’m moved to San Francisco to escape the winters. Luckily enough I just just add some arm and leg warmers to the kit and I’m good to go. To all those snowy winter riders/runner, props.
I don’t adapt. Living in Portugal and by the sea, I just put on an extra layer and something for the rain if I need to, and just keep my running, road biking and mountain biking like I do in the warmer months. Meaning, all the others bar Winter. :)
I’m in Texas, we don’t have to change things up much.
When it’s really cold or it’s snowing I train on the treadmill, otherwise I train outside like all other times.
More time in the pool and on the trainer, outside when weather permits.
I’m a lucky seagull who loves in San Diego…so winter just means long sleeves :)
Seven extra layers, a hat, gloves and I’m ready to go :-)
Road cycling here in the alps during the winter months is not possible. Hence I will do short interval training sessions on the hometrainer during the week. Every sencond day I do fastening training in the morning. On the weekends I go mountaineering with my dog or ski tourings (long endurance session).
I cut back on Triathlon specific training and play more Basketball and Racquetball.
Living in San Francisco, it rarely dips below 45, so my schedule is only dictated by my next race. 2 weeks in Ohio gives me plenty of practice running in snow, though.
I have no major issue when it comes to cold weather since I live in Southern California. Although, I make sure I layer well especially in early morning runs or bike ride. Swimming is no problem. Some pools, within short driving distance, are open year round.
A bit more indoor training is nice, and sometimes necessary in the winter months but a very energetic dog makes sure we still get out for those fun runs ;)
Just as the disco classic learned us ….Ain’t no stopping us now (when it rains or snows…)
Trainerroad, weights and the occasional long run when the Canadian weather gets above freezing….
Winter means more time in the gym and on the slopes and less time on the road.
All terrain biking instead of road cycling, much safer, i thought last week prior of going over the bar ;-)
less of a structured schedule and more mountain biking
Phoenix baby!!! Actually winding down into a cross training / weight lifting mode for a cycle…
Live in FLORIDA. No changes required.
Living in Florida has its advantage, although the shorter days still make it harder to run and bike in daylight hours.
I have to swap from my two a day workouts to only doing quick rides or runs in the early mornings.
More miles!! Enjoy the brisk air!
Computrainer and Netflix do it best. Even from sunny Tucson!
I’m in SE Michigan, and I’ve never been big on running or cycling in the snow (although many are…I respect and envy them!). Generally I increase my focus on strength training, so I look slightly less like a runner/triathlete when the weather breaks in the Spring. I feel it does a lot of good that’s hard to measure, working muscles that you don’t necessarily build strictly running, biking, or swimming.
I usually do a round of P90X, which is a great “all around” program to maintain and build a little, and try to swim/bike/run at the gym enough to maintain whatever gains I’ve made over the racing season. So my schedule is an hour with Tony Horton, and an hour or two at the gym, working on whichever of the three disciplines needs the most improvement…I suspect swimming and cycling will be the bulk of it this Winter.
I actually find it easier to find time in the colder months, as there are fewer social obligations, once the mountains of snow are shoveled!
I will sometimes use the treadmill instead of running outside, if the weather is too bad.
Running outside in cold fresh air with snow is fun, too. 8-)
I usually take my biking indoor and run more. I have a harder time in the heat with my running so winter is when I do most of my running base and perhaps try a new thing in the gym. This year its Bikram Yoga. Maybe it will help with the heat next summer.
I adapt by reading your trainer and powermeter reviews again and again hoping to find the perfect product to suit my needs and budget. Then I go ride my $99 Performance Bike rollers using my hand me down wired Powertap while listening to my twenty year old stereo.
Treadmill and layers here in chilly Northern Alberta
hot shower after training!
No problem with the dark or cold (with the right clothing) but I avoid running when it rains hard or the roads are icy!
I must be considered a lucky duck. My winter training plan involves living on the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia.
I change up what bike I ride. I end up going from a road bike to a fat bike and while I tend to do slightly less cycling altogether I do enjoy it. I find that cycling on the trainer is not as much fun as freezing my butt off outside. Call me crazy.
I break out the tight-tights and headlamp! Switch my shorter runs to the afternoon. I also get to train harder because Virginia winter is milder than Virginia summer
I live in the DC area (northern VA) and I just switch to long sleeve shirts for the weekends, but stick with shorts year-round (unless there’s snow, then I’ll grudgingly add pants). But during the week I switch to indoor training.
I try to run at midday. After morning shift or before evening shift. I just put on a jacket and try to keep a good rhythm.
If it rains use an elliptical at home.
No winter prep necessary – I live 4 degrees N of the equator
still doing indoor swimming and doing shorter run/cycling
I change my Thursday after work ride to a morning jog. I still hit the weights five days a week and go for a Saturday mountain or road ride.
I grow a pair and get out in the cold and keep running! If its really too icy then on the indoor bike to keep it ticking over
I will go to the pool more often, ride the trainer with Zwift and run outside.
just trying not to get scared of the air getting colder and in just a little while everything – mind, body AND soul simply adapt :)
Already got my titanium studed shoes out, running in Sweden in ice and snow is awesome! As a triathlete everything just keeps going. Slightly easier with the trainer on the balcony.
Although in snowy Boston, I tend to keep riding most of the year. I do lots of Gym workouts year round so thats the same. I definitely stop rollerblading during the winter, though.
studded tires when the snow arrives! MTB and cyclocross outdoors, trainer indoors, then strength training at the gym and running!
More treadmill less road…
I spend my time walking the dogs and on the turbo trainer.
Generally just avoid getting ill.
I don’t change what I do. I’m principally a runner, though I do some commuting by bicycle. I don’t like biking in snow, so I drop that. But running in the snow is generally fine, as is running in cold. Layering is important!
I will just put one or two layers more.
Just a little rain gear here in SF.
I will be running if there be more than minus 8 – 6 degrees. I’m thinking about bike trainer.
Spend a lot of time in the home gym I have set up in the garage, and also a lot more time on the mountain bike because part of the enjoyment with mountain biking is getting muddy lol
Longer runs with a cup of warm tea afterwards. Actually I love running in the snow. So, it is a bit of change..
A little more time in the gym, but running outside as long as it’s not snowing.
I ride the trainer in the basement and when its not too cold will run outside, otherwise running is on the treadmill.
Lots of turbo time along with mudguards and neoprene booties for the weekend rides!