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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.
For my first 86 km trail ;o)
Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing.
Winter time is pretty much the same for my running – though less of it is in daylight hours. I run starting at 5am throughout the year, so I’m already in the dark for my full run by the end of October.
The one change is that I will use the treadmill (ugh) when the streets/trails are too treacherous from snow/ice. Fortunately, the log term, overall forecast for my area this year is for a relatively mild year.
Great, I will use it!!!!
Winter means ice and snow (and occasionally hail) – speed training is eliminated from my outdoor runs and I find myself a pool to swim lengths – it changes up my regular running routine.
Oh, and I play hockey!
Tartiflette Vin blanc, That’s the way to train during winter !!
I run with a lot more layers
I spend more time in the pool
This is clearly the best watch! Much better than those Android smartwatches! I would definitely love to wear it all-day long!
Training still the same… maybe a little bit more indoor cycling
Your posts and reviews are awesome ! Keep it UP. Stay safe in Paris!
I’m from Louisiana and have Cajun blood which means I do not do well in the cold at all. So for me training in the winters comes down to layers upon layers upon layers. I have even resorted to using my high tech Army waffle gear. I can honestly say nothing keeps me from riding though. Last year I road in the snow and ice. By the time I got home my brakes didn’t work and my speedplay cleats would no longer engage into the pedal.
This will be a very particular winter for me. I just moved from Santiago de Chile to Chicago and from what I’ve heard winter are serious stuff here!!
So probably I’ll do all my training indoors. This will be: swimming in the University pool (very nice pool), bike in the gym and running on the indoor track (though I’ll try to run outside as much as possible if the weather allows it).
I think the change will be hard, but I’m ready to face winter in Chicago!
Move inside to a treadmill..to the gym for spinning sessions.
I live in central California so I don’t have to “adapt” too much. Mainly switch shorts for running capris and occasionally a long sleeve pullover. Now if it actually starts raining that will be another story…
I live in the Montreal aera in Quebec and I LOVE running in the snow.
Oh, yes, it looks good and I need one!
Winter ready schefule means sleep sleep and more sleep for me ;)
Easy, keep on pedaling! That’s the beauty of living in Colombia, at the foot of the mountain, with unchanging weather year round!
How do you adapt your training schedule for winter?
I keep on riding like have all year!
Do you change sports altogether, or do you happen to be one of those lucky ducks living in Hawaii?
i am debating a gym membership to do some running and lifting of weights.
I wish i could spend some time in Hawaii
Cycling happens on the trainer – thanks for the latest summary btw – and I go skiing every weekend :)
I am running as usual, but instead of running alone I tend to run more in group activities and with friends. Because its so tedious and boring to run alone in dark and cold weather.
Indoor trainer, weights, and I still jog since I actually prefer to jog in colder weather… I’ll take one watch please, good sir! :)
Living in Miami helps keep me training all year
I move indoors when the temperature gets down to around 0. To cold and dark to run outside In the evening.
About the same with swim and run, riding outside will be minimized and spend more time on the trainer.
cycling turns to the trainer, except on weekends when I get brave enough to gear up and head into the pacific northwest wetness.
Just bundle up for the winter temps for running outside. Intensity backed off around holidays and picked up after New Year.
Winter=more swimming, less running.
I’m in the southern hemisphere so training is just coming into peak season. In winter, hmm, training???
Indoor swims continue at a local gym with weekend bikes/runs continue at my usual places. Since daylight is a in short supply during the weekdays, biking fully transitions to the indoor trainer. For running I stick to well lit neighborhood areas and bundle up for the cold.
Less outside work, more treadmill, indoor track, and indoor swimming.
I move indoors, treadmill, fitness bike and some weights get me through the winter
Thanks
Spending more time in gym and sadly less outside. Also, if we will get some actual snow in our little corner of Europe this coming winter, i will most likely do so some cross country skiing – it has been years since my last decent time on skis.
I mostly workout indoors during winter (insanity, p90x…)
As a sign of respect for your work i have disabled adblocker+ on your site ;)
would love it if you could find a sponsor like Clever training for Europe (10% discount or at least free shipping across EU). I would use it for all the sporting equipment i buy.
Responding as to how my training changes in Winter, I tend to focus on running vs. cycling….running more and training for races in early spring. Living in metro Atlanta, Georgia our Winter can be cold and windy (contrary to common belief). Running is more enjoyable in the cooler / cold air so I tend to hit the road and trails more versus the hot and humid Summer. Not that I forego cycling. In fact, I still ride 3-4 days per week (at night even). My mind, body, and soul appreciate the change in pace and I actually become stronger during the Winter months.
How do I adapt my trainings for winter:
No Hawaii, but Poland weather to deal with!
– Late autumn: no competitions, so, enjoying some Squash with girlfriend!
– Winter: Long runs, progressions to improve aerobic! Oranges and C vitamins are good in winter and they contribute to NOT FEEL the fatigue. WIN-WIN situation as result is: more KMs and more Oranges
How do we enter the giveaway contest?
How do you adapt your training schedule for winter?
I run indoors when there is snow on the ground.
SF Bay here, all outdoor rides now happen in the morning and we have to uncover-cover the pool. I actually enjoy winters here way more than summers.
I cut back on the running when it’s wet (living in the PacNorWest that means quite a bit of cutting back), and beef up my bike-riding gear to keep sludging along. Swimming? I haven’t kept up with that much this summer anyway, so we’ll put that on a New Year’s resolution for next year.
I adapt by eating fueling with hot chocolate instead of ice cream
Winter here in Florida means not having to run indoors to avoid heat and humidity any more
Trying to up my run volume and include some cross country racing, but generally training when I want to not always when my schedule says I should.
I put spike tires under my cyclocross and mountain bike.
No changes. Just need to dress warmer and try harder to convince myself to wake up and run in the cold and dark.
trainerroad in my paincave and the treadmill at lunch at work. what I REALLY miss is open water swims.
I get to buy more winter gears (long pants, jackets, etc.) and keep the same running schedule. Having a running buddy is key to keep each other motivated!
I have been very good this year, make my Christmas wish come true!
I just keep running outside – as long as it’s not too icy, I’ll stay outside. If it’s icy I’ll hit the treadmill.
Nordic skiing and snow trail running! Feed the soul and embrace the seasons!
I live in the Caribbean, there is a tag team Triathlon on the 29th November. Four persons per team, two male, two female, all team members have to do the full distance but it’s short.
My final plan event for the year is fun MTB race on 5th December.
Changing… nothing… just run on!
Put on a long sleeve shirt and maybe a raincoat and go. Lucky to live in Australia.
I put tacks though the soles of my shoes to conquer pesky ice on my runs… Or I just step gingerly!
A little more honestly, reflective clothing for the runs, but my bike moves inside to the trainer for the most part.
No road bike after the first sprinkle of salt and more MTB for the long long winter season.
If there is no snow, biking in the forest is really relaxing. With not too much snow the forest is a peaceful place for biking.
Coming into summer in New Zealand, so more training in the sun. But in the winter nothing much changes, same sports, just more training in the darkness and wet conditions!
hi!
more swimming, shifting cycling from outdoors to indoors with more intervall training and running stays the same
Come to Sweden!
I grow a beard and ride outside/persevere all winter sometimes in -30 deg C with the windchill! The studded tires help!
Still run, but here along the Lake Michigan shoreline winters are brutal. I add running pants and many layers on top. Use the treadmill when weather does not cooperate.
little bit more mountain bike riding and indoor training, but in SoCal it is easy to ride year round
Off season is all about going back to run with fun. No schedule, just driven by motivation.
Warmer clothes, indoor training, swimming at the pool.
I work out at home and do urban running. Here in Northern California it gets a bit rainy, but after you’re completely soaked running in the rain is very fun. So, no changes to my winter routine, just re-learning how to enjoy running in the rain.
Less bike, more run, some trainer
I live in North Florida, so it’s not that much of an issue. On colder days, I shift my runs from first thing in the morning to mid afternoon.
Northern Europe – More layers, merino is king!
As winter is coming to Europe I spend more relaxing time in the pool ;-)
Wrap up warm, head torch, brave the elements
Still running outside but riding inside on the old Computrainer.
I live in PA, weather gets cold here, but not crazy cold, so I just layer up for running and will still bike, road conditions permitting. I actually like running in cold weather, much more so than hot weather, which we get too here in PA.
I am not a big treadmill person (to say the least), but if weather gets too hardcore, I’ll head to the gym and suck it up.
I WANT THAT WATCH! The one with the leather brown leather band.
Increase my indoor swim session.
Its all about the layering, a good hat and when all else fails hot hands®.
I tend to run slightly less and use the elliptical more. I have also found clothing such as “heater hog” to be helpful against the wind.
Bundle up and run more during the winter. There are not as many other outdoor activities during the winter, and running is a great excuse to get outside.
When it’s snowy outside, I switch to off-season mode. Namely, I drop all the speed-work and stick only to slow runs, incl. long runs, and start my cross-country skiing season. XC skiing gives real endurance boost by the way.
Lots off mountainbiking and running ..
pick me
Well, I try to keep running outside. Usually works. Indoor cycling tends not to last…did get the insideride erg setup last weeks, have high hopes for it. Still need to do the calibration run (a hassle since it requires a windows machine and I use a mac with trainer road to cycle).
Treadmill in snowy Pennsylvania
I typically fail completely at keeping a good exercise schedule all together in the winter. But when i do keep things up I tend to just do the running and or biking i normally do with heavier clothes on, and if the weather is bad I have a treadmill, and I typically tell myself that the few ski trips i do count as well!
I take it indoors and spend lots of time on the Kickr. Same bikes, different “scenery.”
warm clothes, that’s all.
Living in London.Trying to convince myself that the weather is good enough to go for a run and consistently failing.
Dress warm!
Warmer clothes. More indoor pool training and….SPINNING!!
My life is split between country with almost no snow and country where .. lets say, some winters are quite snowy and every year I hope that this winter will one of those, :) Therefore during workdays I keep my usual running schedule, well almost – I have one base run and one interval training (or maybe none, depends on the mood, :)). But on weekends – leave the running shoes in the suitcase, take my pair of skis and off to cross-country skiing track. It is great to have option to change the sport! (pity though that my Forerunner 620 does not support other activities than run and bike, that’s why new Garmin is looking towards me, ;))
Switch things up on the bike and do less road riding and more mountain biking/dirt road riding.
Tacx and running :)
Since I live in the bootheal of new mexico, and January and February represent my first of two seasonal racing seasons, I actually begin to add more intensity as I move into the year end. Also have to forgo all those holiday pies and treats as I have to keep from adding a lot of girth!
I live in the UK and unless the ground is covered in deadly ice then runs go as normal, usually with an additional layer and if necessary a waterproof coat but those things can soon become wearable saunas so I try and avoid them!
Running a bit slower and less kilometers and doing crossfit training more often ;)
Winter means I go harder and faster for those mad winter gains and to stay warm!! But seriously, I just dress for the weather and carry on. Work it through winter, otherwise you’ll pay for it in spring.
More indoor, less outdoor where it’s nice and toasty!
Lives in northeast part of US. Running stays the same, maybe more on treadmill. Swimming in indoor pool. Will try to do at least one outdoor biking a week before the skiing season comes
I live in Barcelona, Spain. It is not Hawaii but you can run outdoors, swim with a normal wetsuit in the sea and ride your bike most of the days because it does not rain very often (it snows once every 4-5 years) and weather is nice. This year it is hotter than usual, last sunday (Nov. 15th. we went to the beach and swam without a wetsuit !
Just a bit more indoor (swimming pool instead of sea, spinning instead of road bike) and running when the sun shines.
I try to catch up on the work I ignore during the summer.