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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.
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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.
Just keep going……..
Ciao Ray,
If the winter will be as mild as last year it will be possible to run and bike. Swimming outside in winter in north Italy it is a little bit to complicate…
Less long distance riding outside, more trainer time inside. And more swimming in pool.
The treadmill and indoor cycling..
I continue to ride through the winter, switching to studded tires (on my cyclocross and hybrid bikes) and wear warmer gear when it gets cold. Last year I kept the studs on from early November through the end of March. I’d rather spend trainer money on winter gear.
A pair of gloves, a hat and run! You’ll get warm eventually and if not… Just run faster and further :-)
Less bike riding, more running. It gets slippery when the temperature is freezing.
HIIT and strength training, the trainer, some fun frozen 5ks, and some pool love rounds out my winter training.
More swimming and sauna sessions.
Much more carefully dressed for running.
Fully dressed for biking, this could be very windy.
And I’m still hesitating to go to a gym.
What doesn’t kill me make me stronger. Time to man or woman up and get out in all the weather. It can be very liberating
We have a selection of great indoor facilities where I live. Makes training possible year round even through the frigid Midwest winters.
Thanks for the awesome giveaway. Since I’m in Louisiana my training doesn’t have to adjust too much.
I’m a lucky duck who lives in Colorado! Winter days vary a lot here. It can be -15F or +65F & everything in between. When weather’s nice & snow isn’t too piled up, I will bike, jog, hike & play basketball outside. Even with snow, I can grab the snowshoes & go out in those. Somehow I always seem to get a pretty aerobic workout in snowshoes! When weather’s just plain nasty, I’ll train inside on an a stationary bike & elliptical machine. In all seasons, my Olympic weights are part of the regiment.
Great question Ray!
Dan
Hell ya it gets cold so trainer for biking. I still run outside though because I’m Canadian!
I live in Florida so the cold days are very few. I either tough it out, use the drainer or dreadmill, or skip and call it well needed recovery. haha
It depends on the winter. In central Europe, it seems that every year we got different conditions in winter. In the worst case when it’s not possible to ride outside, there’s still indoor trainer, gym or you can increase the hours spent in swimming pool or on the run ;-)
Luckily in Southern California so definitely spend a little more time outdoors before the weather gets too hot to be running outside
It gets dark very early in Poland, so I gave up biking during winter. I’m doing more swimming in the pool, trying to improve my freestyle. I run all year long regardless of weather condtion.
I prefer to do shorter runs but more frequent. Cycling I’ll do a short ride during the week and a long ride Saturday. Don’t swim until March. Don’t want to burn out for the next season.
no swimming, more trainer, cold running
I simply keep on training outside , a little rain doens’t kill you
Good evening
Here at the Basque Country for riding bicycle you have to be a Little onion… Easier to run or hiking
Best regards
Well I’m in Australia so time to keep hydrated as the temperature rises, Baseball season is in full swing and I’m starting to crank up the hiking km’s and vaguely preparing for another 100km Walk next year.
I spend a lot of time on the bike trainer and actually get to enjoy running outside here in New Orleans.
I put on an extra layer, a head lamp and carry on
I live in Michigan, so we deal with the cold. Wear some Goretex Asics, lots of layers, and lots of lights! My tri team does base building in the winter, so we’re in spin classes and the pool together a lot, which helps when I feel too wimpy to go outside.
I mostly mountain bike in the summer. When the weather turns cold I move indoors to the elliptical and some weight training.
Same routine, but with leggings :)
I go into the basement room with no windows a Kickr and TrainerRoad. From the Midwest
Around November I add indoor rowing and running to my scheme avoiding too much cycling in the rain (living in Denmark). Recommendation is combining indoor rowing, cycling on a trainer and then running as a multi sport event ?
Layer up!
I am trying to train like in summer but with lights, but usually I end up training les and switch bike for crosscountry skis or snowboard.
Running tights, long sleeve tops, gloves and wind proof ear band. And plenty of body glide on the nipples!
As a mountain biker in a northern climate I’ll change tires and wheels to studs. Off season training starts and will be on the spin bike for the really bad weather!
Head to the pain cave and begin the trainer hate. Mixed in with some cold, snowy Iowa running, early morning pick-up games of basketball and weight training.
Becouse my main sport for last 10 moths was watching how my little daughter Sofia grows up…so Fenix3 would be a wonderful helper. :)
I am one of the lucky ducks living in Florida. My training adapts in that I just put on long sleeves instead of a tank before heading out the door for run or ride. Might break out the wetsuit during January, but it is still optionable, and not a necessity.
This is the most beautiful Garmin ever – and my poor 310 is one life support, so I really hope I win. Thanks for doing what you do.
Nope but I do live in the South!
My winter training consists of repairing my marriage and convincing the kids that I do actually live at home ??
Happy to be a lucky duck living in Florida!
I probably should take a break from logging long runs week in, week out during the winter months, but honestly, there’s always some big winter race I just have to enter. Like this 100 mile beach run a week from New Year’s. Last time we were hit by a storm during the night. Epic fun!
I do a lot more running, and a lot less cycling. This is partly because of the lack of daylight here in Norway and partly because I find running nicer than cycling in the cold months. If there is snow, I am forced to run on sidewalks instead of the woods. And on some rare occasions I might ski.
inevitably, I end up doing more inside on the TM but as much as I can, I try to just gear up and get out to run
I continue to run, but sometimes I have to do speedwork on a treadmill and sometimes I just switch to indoor cycling.
I love running in all seasons ! although winter is a little tougher to get out the door I feel even greater after a chilly long run in NYC :)
Still running, just dress warmer!
Put the bike on the trainer and go. I will run outside no matter how cold it gets.
I just keep on running unless the temperature goes ridiculously down. To be frank, winter in Poland is not that harsh, the biggest impediment during the time is smog in the cities. I am coping with it by adding Muay Thai trainings to my schedule. Oh, and if the snow appears eventually, I will also add Nordic skiing :)
Bike trainer and tights for running. I also try to do more strength training at the gym.
Here in Tejas we could be 80 F one day with Tornados and 20 F the next day with an ice storm. Plan accordingly lol
Wintertraining in Spain is like summertraining anywhere else, so I don’t change a lot.
I’m a runner, from Ohio… Things can get pretty snowy and cold here, but I still do most of my running outside, just adding layers depending on the weather. Occasionally I switch to a treadmill, but really not my favorite way to go.
Grab lights, knee and arm warmers ( maybe a windbreaker if its bad outside) and continue as usual. Coming from So.cal we dont have to worry much about weather. OH look its 75 and sunny again today!
No snow around these parts.. Riding all year round ?
Run outside — Just dress warmer, Use the trainer inside for the bike. Sled as often as possible.
I try to ride XCM race in the cold and rainy Belarus in this weekens^)
All other days usual work – home intervals, outdoor MTB rides, power work in the GYM.
I keep on running outside whenever it’s not too icy, biking has to move indoors on a trainer, and my swim workouts move from the ocean to the pool. Other than maybe lightening the load or focusing more on technique versus volume, not much changes.
Need to step up the running intensity.
Indoor rides on a trainer and outdoor on the mtb (buying one shortly), some cold runs outside and twice a week volleyball.
Its cold out there and less usable daylight available each day. I am still road cycling with use of lights and good cold weather gear. I am already easing my way into the gym for this winter season. Winter means about five months of treadmill, indoor cycling and various resistance machines.
In winter nothing changes… Except clothing obviously… Oh and headlamps, I collect them as I do for flashlights. Just maybe increasing the delta distance from working days to weekends… shorter runs after work and longer in the weekend, in summer the difference does not reach the 50%
Just stop training and eat corn-flakes
Indoor trainer, just upgrading to Tacx Vortex Smart
No changes to my training routine whatsoever, I just layer on the leg warmers, gloves, vests etc.
I am a triathlete from the Netherlands and tend to cycle less in winter but let it depend on the weather. Safety 1st so slippery roads is obviously a no go. Usually running is not a problem so keep doing this. Indoor swimming is also not an issue.
A bit of cross country skiing for variety, but otherwise the only winter I have to contend with is lots of rain and the lack of sunlight, so cycling moves mostly indoors but outdoor running is still great.
Layers layers layers. And leaving in California helps
I simply use Winter running clothes, it’s never super cold here.
I make sure I have my winter running clothes ready for the abysmal Ohio weather. I also take my running to treadmill at the gym. Not ideal, but better than running negative degree weather. Ah the joys of the northeast.
In winter I run in a group of people in the evenings supported by some nice music and coloured lights so we are seen and heard :) Furthermore I love Yoga and relaxing after a long week in the sauna afterwards :)
I have been doing indoor pool training during winter and cycling on a trainer in the garage using trainerroad to try to keep it interesting
After the holidays, work off the fat with spinning classes and swimming in the pool!
Indoor trainer, and, sadly, less training.
I move my trainings indoor (Netherlands it is always bad weather). Do some work on the tacx and some weight lifting. And if the sun is out running and biking!
if its wet i run, unless i swim, in which case i get wet anyway. If its dry, i ride my bike, a lot. I like it when its dry. Cycling hurts way less than running, and is way less wet than swimming. Except for the winter turbo trainer sessions, they are pretty wet also, very sweaty. All of which beat being at work.. .
Spend more time on the dreadmill.
Fortunately, I live in the deep south, so I don’t have to change a lot other than swimming indoors. There are occasions when I have to add more layers for a run or ride than I’d like, and truth be told, I tend to run more than anything in the winter anyway.
Fleece lined bike clothes and gravel roads! Is there any other sport than cycling?
I’ll still ride as long as I can stand the cold and since it rarely gets in the 20’s(F) here I’ll just throw on some extra layers. when it is too cold I have a basic fluid trainer and a treadmill for inside work.
I’ll be hitting the treadmill and catching up on TV and films.
If it’s snowing, I’m dropping everything and headed out for a picturesque country road run. The bigger & fluffier the flakes the better. Snow time is my favorite running time….
The combination of bad winter drivers and icy conditions may necessitate heading back to the pool or my bike on the trainer in front of the TV in the basement. There’s always the indoor gym in the corner for some strength training that I tend to forgo during the warmer months…..
Winter is a great season. It’s nordic skiing time. If there isn’t enough snow, it’s nordic ice skating time.
I just wait until the sun comes out and train like normal. Arizona living. Sometimes I put a long sleeve shirt on
Being from Sweden I will continue the winter with some lovely cross country Skiing, skating and winter running when at home. I am also looking forward to spending the day building a snowman with my 2 year old daughter.
Working for a airline I spend a lot of time in hotels. So I will continue to Swim Bike Run indoors during winter.
My favourite motivator is the Sufferfest videos to keep the hammer down on a bike or treadmill during the darker months. I am also looking forward to read more on DCR.
It’s a bit cold here for cycling in the winter. So I’ve already switched to indoor trainer and weightlifting for strength. Looking forward to using Trainer Road on your recommendation.
Cheers.
It just started getting too cold in Idaho for comfortable outdoor riding. That means its time to dust off the kickr and load up trainerroad to start working on my base fitness for next season!
Here in Israel, winter is the best season for training. I love winter.
Less swimming, more Sufferfest.
I normally do more indoor trainer rides, but still try to put time outdoors over the weekend.
Running to train for London marathon as doing it for charity. Got to get used to the rain. Does this watch stop me getting wet?
I do more trainer rides in the winter. I still swim at the Y but focus more on drills than distance, and I always run outside– I cannot run on a treadmill
My training routine doesn’t change much, other than the addition of hill reps during the mid week run in prep for some winter cross country races. Got to be in shape to be miles away from the podium… :-/
Fenix 3? Yes please.
I live in Sydney, where we’re just coming out of winter. I work near the beach and this year invested in a wetsuit for open water swims before work. Best decision! The rest is sports related (soccer, squash, etc) and the occasional spin class to keep the ole legs turning!
I’ll spend more time in the gym, and my runs will start to include more and more layers.
I put on my cross country skies and I love it.
Sooner or later the snow fell and temperature could be sometimes as low as -20*C the only way to train for a cycling season is running, gym and indoor trainer, but as long as it’s above about -6*C (and there is free time during sunlight part of the day) ridding outside is preferred.
I use the winter to get back to strength training and focusing on my swim techniques by getting in the pool more frequently.
As the saying goes, there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing, so there’s no reason to stop running here in Switzerland. Of course, we’re waiting for the snow so that we can go cross-country skiing again.
More running, less cycling.
Brisbane, Australia….basically no winter here! :)