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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.
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.
Well, here in Brazil we don’t have that kind of a change between seasons; but we generally have a lot of rain during our summer (your winter). So, a umbrella and/or a raincoat should help…
I run in the dark with my nike flash vest, headlamp and tail light clipped to my hat!
Not big changes for winter, usually just bump up the running and do a few half marathons.
I’m a runner. No changes. Just warm clothes, a hat, gloves and I train as usual.
Winter = time to get into the Physio room pain cave for some turbo trainer sweat fests!!!
I take my training indoors on yucky days!
Winter just gives me an excuse to hit the trails and get nice and muddy. Road shoes go away, out come the trail shoes. TT bike in the shed and MTB gets the glory. We also have an outdoor pool nearby that has steam coming off it in winter….feels awesome to jump into when it’s 2deg outside :-)
Down in Australia, it is never too cold to go outside for a run.
In the winter I just wear different clothes (layers and fabric) and if the road conditions are less than desirable I wear trail shoes. And, a reflective vest if hazy outside.
As a cyclist, I’ll do a bit of running, plus trying out trainnerroad for the first time this year
I try to get in more swimming in. Also try to get runs in early in the day and on weekends
I am out and out a winter running girl :)
Hi,
First thanks for the giveaway!
I adapt my training by signing up in a fitness :) and I also adapt it by practicing winter sports ;) especially ski, freeride and off course ski touring!!
Thanks again for your blog :)
Don’t change anything and don’t let the companies’ pressure bother you ;)
Hi. Less bike outside, more inside bike and inside swim. Running still the same, I like to run in cold :)
Running on the muddy and rainy BC trails and snowshoeing around!!
More mountain bike outside (if the trails freeze), rollers inside. Less time all together.
I live in the not so sunny Ireland so my training swaps to indoor cycles and lots of pool training but I do make time to get one outdoor long run in each weekend! Rain, hail or snow… Youve got to get the long run in!
I live in Socal so our weather is usually not too bad (we are in a drought). I still ride outside but may put on a baselayer and full fingered gloves as it gets colder. Otherwise i will put on some Sufferfest videos and push those watts on the trainer. Running is about the same but i cut back on intensity until December when i have to ramp up to train for some winter marathons. I swim at both outdoor and indoor pools with the masters teams
I’m one of those lucky ducks….living in south florida… It’s finally running season, yay! Running picks up, races are scheduled, and the miles feel so much better in the cooler (80-85 degrees lately) weather. Although since it gets dark so early now, almost all running is done at night so I have to light up like a Xmas tree. Safety first! Can’t wait for it to get in to the 70’s though.
Better than running in the summertime. Just put on some layers and I’m out the door on the weekend.
Just more clothes in chilly Chicago. And harder to drag my a** to the pool!
I adapt to winter training by wearing my headlamp cos it’s dark when I get home from work…
Well, running continues through the winter. Hours freed up from reduced cycling go to extra running and spinning.
Layering, and no running or biking on icy or snowy days!
In florida it doesn’t get too cold to continue my normal training. I just wear tights and long sleeves on cooler days.
California doesn’t really require much adaptation. Were it not for Daylight Savings Time it would be the perfect time of year to start riding more, really. As it stands, since I get home late from work, I’ve been zwifting it up on my Tacx Neo
Living in Sunny CA. It gets so cold I have to wear a long sleeve shirt when I train… Okay it’s really not that bad. Don’t really have to change too much for the winters here. Just brings down are mile times because we can run faster in the cooler weather!
I continue to run as long as it isn’t too icy. If it is I do some cross training either on my turbo trainer or a spin bike
I live in the north east of England, so not a huge change for me, I go from wet cold and windy to wetter, colder and windier (with a chance of snow). Early November I moved most of my riding indoors as it is dark when I get to work and leave work these days. (Turbo training is going better than usual – I love my new Tacx Vortex Smart, thanks for the reviews!)
Living in the NC means I don’t have to adjust my training too drastically. I like to bundle up with a hat and gloves before running or riding though!
Pool only instead of open water.
Trainer road and spin classes.
Running still mostly outside or indoor gym track.
I keep running twice a week, just add extra layer of clothes, either rain gear (more often here in Ireland) or warm base layer.
No biking outdoors with the exception of commuting; more running and swimming.
From Canada so it’s mostly all trainer and treadmill in the winter. Once in a while I brave the cold for a outdoor run.
I add in downhill skiing, and mountain biking
thanks for the contest.
Usually in Winter we cut down the mileage on the bike, increase the run- and swim -volume and when there is enogh snow outside (we live at the northern beginning of the alps) we use cross country skiing, the perfect alternative to biking, as often as we are able to.
Having lived in the UK the past 15 years and travelled a lot for work I have had varied winters. My favourite story was always going out for an intended 5k jog in Sweden at -16, got lost and ended up being 24k’s!! Since then regardless of where I am – if it’s single figure temp in centigrade or lower I’ll wear a base layer if I don’t know the area I’ll take a running backpack with some very lightweight wind proof kit and a foil plus other small emergencies. In terms of effort I would say it’s a whole heap more intense in order to get the core body temp up.
I just started running this year, so I am not sure yet what changes I will be making. Maybe more clothes, or more treadmill runs? We shall see!
Play soccer and do more gym weights lifting. And try to run and swim if possible
I am a triathlete and continue to train. I still run outside and try to cycle outside at least 1 day a week. Most of my training moves inside to strength training in the gym, spin classes, and laps in the pool.
Road bike stabled on the trainer. Dust off the skis and snow shoes. My favorite time of year for running.
I live in Alberta, so its kinda hard to stay outside, everything gets moved indoors, more swimming and weight training than running in the winter. Although if you want to you could easily count snow shoveling as a different kind of training.
Living in the Northeast, I switch it up and do more crosstraining. I run when the wind chill is bearable.
I leave in UAE, so my training seasons is really starting now. Finally the temperatures are down so you can go for hours long rides. It’s also now the only time of the year that the sea temperatures are low enough to allow you to use your wetsuits without overheating. Really best season of the year for me…
Indoor pool, indoor trainer, indoor track. :) Also Yaktraks/spiked shoes and lots of layers for running outdoors. Finally, winter also means hockey season so the skates replace a few swim/bike/run sessions.
keep running, bike on trainer
I just shift to my indoor trainer, weights and treadmill more. So it completely shifts.
More Layers, a set of Rollers or my CycleOps Fluid2 and some friends over for a Sufferfest Video and post ride recovery ales.
I live in the Northeast, so I switch to studded tires and layer up for my runs. HotHands is a must.
Given that Australian Winters are generally warmer than English Summers, the only change I make is to switch out all my gear to high visibility versions to allow for it being dark for most runs
I’m in Florida so tend to run more in the winter when it’s less hot out as I gear up for longer races in the spring. Once those are finished, it’s back to tri training where I pick up more cycling and swim workouts.
Living in South West Utah I don’t need to change much. Just go out a bit later so it can warm up a bit.
Riding in flurries is awesome – jsut watch out for other drivers in NC that freak out at the white stuff.
Run in the snow – it’s so peaceful!
And then when it is too icy – indoor trainer / treadmill (boo).
Bring on Winter!
I live in the south of Brazil, in the city of Porto Alegre. It doesn’t get that cold in the winter so I don’t have to adapt that much, guess I’m lucky.
Adapting for winter running in Sydney involves swapping my ultra lightweight running singlet with a slightly less ultra lightweight singlet ;-)
Ski, ski, ski. XC of course.
It is the hottest year in history, expect no real winter this year, so no changes in training.
Just run through it, hiviz and lights, if icy use the gym. Usually do a spring marathon so committed to winter training.
I ride when the roads arent frozen and also incorporate more weight training.
Shorter days of light in northern Michigan. Never a bad outing, just bad clothing choices.
After 20 years of multisport I’ve learned the best way to get in shape in January is to not get out of shape. Just loose most of the structure in the winter but keep in touch with all 3. More trails and MTB/CX when I can.
I put the bike away, and run a lot more, with the help of thermal tights.
Somewhat the lucky buggah! I spend 5 winter weeks in Maui, HI and I surf, swim, hike and run a lot while there. The rest of the winter when I get back in Northern CA, I snowboard a lot since I buy a yearly resort pass. If not snow surfing, I hit the local gym and SBR. Aloha!
In the midwest us roadies go into #midwestertough mode and just bundle up. Base season must take place to ensure we kick butt in July. #roadielife – AH
As a Dutchman, my winter routine revolves around hoping for chances to find outdoor ice rings/ frozen rivers to ice skate on.
There are even some winter bi/triathlons involving speed skating, though I have yet to participate in such an event
I will be spending most, if not all, of my time indoors. Specifically, I will riding the indoor bikes located inside of my town gym. I will miss being outside.
I live in Chicago so Winter is essentially upon us already. I move my training mostly indoors and shift towards weight training with some cycling and swimming. When its not treacherous outside I’ll get a few running miles in (or at least that’s what I tell myself…)
I live in Western Australia, and have been stupidly lucky the last 2 years while running, to nearly always find a clearish spell to run in. Heavy rain is the worst I have to deal with, so it’s just suck it up.
No changes. Maybe more kms .
As I live in Sydney, my training schedule for winter doesn’t change too much. I just wear slightly warmer clothes! And perhaps I don’t get up quite so early in the morning.
I am one of those lucky ducks living in a country with snow (although Hawaii sounds nice too) so now the cross-country skiing period have just started!
Cyclocross and rain bike commuting…
Hard miles in the stormy wet windy UK Autumn giving way to colder darker miles as the winter sets in proper………
I’m in Alabama, so I adapt for winter by going from shorts to longer running tights, and maybe a hat. The time change is the bigger adjustment–head lamp and reflective vest for running after work.
During winter season I mostly use the MTB. There is a lot of fun in the snow and less risc as using the roadbike in icy streets.
Baltimore runner that started doing triathlons to keep cross training interesting. First year owning a bike so I will attempt to stay on the roads by applying the winter rules of running- adding layers, a light source, and knowing when to let mother nature win…. NEVER!!!!!
I move to cross country skiing particularly skate skiing. Along with that some outdoors runs and rides if the weather allows. Otherwise treadmill and TrainerRoad.
Indiana: More running and swimming. Less biking.
Long sleeves and tights if it’s particularly cold – which in California, where I am, means low 40s.
I live in Canada and a cool thing about this place is snow in winter. Of course I adapt my training accordingly… Running outside gets a little trickier and I’m not a big fan of fat bikes (yet). So (in no particular order) snowshoeing, x-country skying, alpine skying, skating, outdoor running plus a mix of indoor running and spinning classes fills the void…
Mire swimming less cycling in cold Germany
SF Bay Area winters are not typically too bad, but El Nino may change that up this year, meaning more trainer and treadmill time for me!
More riding indoors, time to focus on swimming! Run outside still, what ever the weather!
I hope to be lucky!!!
Moving indoors with a new smart trainer (thanks DCR for the great advice) and Trainer Road for the bike. Then onto endless trudging on the treadmill for the run. Following a line at the bottom of the pool in winter (or any season for that matter!)
Winter clothes and good coffee. Of course I’m only in Alabama…..lol
I move indoors and do some bouldering for extra core-strength.
Great question…. I adapt my training to the time of year. When it starts getting terribly cold, I take my training into the local mega-gym. Try to maintain a consistency with the frequency and intensity of the training but tend to try others things to keep things fresh. For instance, if there’s snow, I try to do cross country or snowshoeing. Thinking of getting a fat bike. Also, surprising just how good a workout you can get from shoveling snow.
Keep up the great work and thank you for the reviews and efforts.
Training stays mostly the same, just more layers. Once the roads turn icy, switch to ice tyres on mountain bike so that I can still get out.
I live in Houston so it’s not too bad. About the only change is the amount of trainer time and, if it’s really nasty out, more treadmill work.
I live in Portugal, and winter here is not too bad: shorter days, some rain and minimum temperatures going down 15-20 to 5-10 Celsius… Main adaptation required: reflective gear, as I usually train around 7-8 pm. Besides that, I only need a long sleeve T-shirt and a very light jacket. Long weekend runs are particularly pleasant in a sunny winter morning, the light is just perfect. And there are many such mornings :-)
Just coming into summer here. But going into winter the kayak gets used less and less as the light fades earlier and it gets spooky on the water, mtb lights come out to extend into the night and race the wallabies along the track.
Southeastern Virginia gets cold. Wish I could say I switch and do some cross country skiing and other winter sports but nope, bundle up and continue to run outside. Cycle outside, though more trainer rides with limited daylight, and swim as usual. Trying to incorporate more strength training but can’t seem to commit to it.
I don´t. I just dress more.
I just moved to NoCal over the summer, from DC. When looking for a new job I was 100% thinking about how to escape winter and how that way I wouldn’t have to alter my training schedule at all! I’m going to just keep on, keeping on outside with training for the LA Marathon, though maybe start running more trails (not weather related, just extra fun)!
I am one of the lucky ones that live in almost Canada! I run as much as possible outside during the winter. Generally I log 20-40 miles a week all winter and just add layers as the Temps fall. I also move inside a bit more during the winter and focus more on strength training but you’ll never catch me on the treadmill!
Winter is much easier training for me. I adapt by getting to enjoy running more. Living in South Alabama, the Summer days are routinely 95 degrees with lows around 80. I keep running but it’s hard to stay motivated when every run is an aqua jog due to humidity. Winter allows me to actually get in good workouts, and I tend to perform better in Winter and early Spring because of this.
It would be perfect on my wrist… ?
I dont stop, even though its cold, I rug up, avoid rainy days, riding almost every day almost 21,000 km for the year
add a hat, gloves and headlamp and avoid the ice and deer looking for food!!