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I’m DC RAINMAKER…
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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 just swim more and run less (and try to run at lunch.) And the indoor trainer, sadly.
Skating Ski and running is a great alternative during winter. But on the other you only get fast on the bike if you train on the bike. Therefore I love to spend hrs on zwift or trainerroad.
I am addicted to Zwift since your wrote in your Blog about it, so I will train definitely more indoors.
More lights in winter… Though at 37.8 degrees south – the weather is really not bad enough to change sports from running, riding and swimming.
treadmill and trainer get cleaned of cobwebs…
strength training!
Well actually since I haven’t been swimming for a while because I was concentrating on cycling and running I will have to start with that again. Winter is coming so no cycling anyway.
Classic – indoor trainer, treadmill, XC skiing and the indoor pool :)
Indoors. Indoors. Indoors. Indoor swimming and indoor cycling. And I dream about running whilst repeatedly hitting the snooze button to avoid getting out of my toasty bed!
More layers! And some indoor cycling.
As a Rower, Runner and Cyclist, I just open a big can of man up for the first two, and become a fair weather cyclist!
Hi there
i hope we will get some snow right soon as i will change from 2 wheels to 2 boards ;o)
Winter training means the turbo comes out for tough indoor sessions and my gym membership gets used more as strength and mobility become the key focal points before cardio and speed comes back in the new year.
Winter is when having a running buddy helps to make the push to run outside… On my first winter runs I was very surprised how good it feels :)
I live in the North of Scotland so winter training can get very interesting! Im mainly a runner (and living in Scotland used to the cold) so I still try head out when I can whatever the weather and sometimes in the spiked running shoes depending on the ground conditions! I find running in the cold through winter helps me a lot once spring comes around (all my PBs seem to happen around then)!
So in short I don’t change my training too much, just layer up, man up and get on with it regardless of the weather :)
Not much adaptation… Just warmer clothes and a hot shower once I’m done training!!
Unfortunately, I’m one of those living on a South Pacific island (yeah, not Hawaii)… I often wish I lived in a colder country !
COOL BOSS!
Living in Estonia I can cycle/skate in summer, run in autumn/spring and xc skiing in winter. So that I won’t get bored.
Living in Buenos Aires, I dont have the need to alter training patterns through winter…
Thanks DC and Clever Training for the giveaway!
Slow recovery training from broken mid foot
I did not adapt. I live in Thailand on Koh Samui )))
Bring out the rain bike, bundle up, and brave the bad weather.
As a runner I will try to focus more on mileage than on those super fast track workouts which can be very tough in winter because everything gets so slippery. For motivation, a spring marathon will do the job.
Doing a bit less of everything. Still cycling to work, shorter runs, indoor swimming. The nice addition is going skiing every now and then.
Im running less in cold weather but a Fenix3 can be a good motivation to do it more often
Living in Queensland Australia, winter means switching the headlight to on rather than flash for the first hour of a morning ride, and arm warmers. Days are just stunning here in winter, so once the suns up, off with the arm warmers and ride on!
In Spain, in the central region, winter it is not arrive yet. Weather still warm and sunny in the middle of the day and short sleeves are enough.
When cold arrives, more clothes is enough for running.
Add more layers – sometimes move to evening running.
Good winter running shoes together with a headlight do the trick for sticking to the same schedule!
As we say here: There is no bad weather but only bad clothes :)
I have just gone to live in Dubai… Actually I joined a local running club which is very well organised so the question is morelike what do I do when I spend my holidays in Europe? I freeze as I hate the gym, but I do not change habit.
Warmer cloths and keep running :)
I like to win a Fenix3!
I bike and walk and for the winter downhill ski. Still get out walking and try to bike when the pavement is dry.
I live in a cold area with snow in winter so I change my outdoor training for gym sessions and indoor bike training sessions altogether
Just TurboTrainer!
I ditch the bike for the winter, and going mostly to the gym and doing 1 or 2 hours/week ride on my trainer
The nordic winter going to make me stronger, get at me dawg when your patience’s longer.
Im a persistent runner, Im on the track spring, fall, winter and summer.
A treadmill would be nice sometimes, but with both diagnosis and poor health insurance, the wallet is empty without some crimes – you have to read between the lines.
I´ll run until it feels in my bone tissues. The freezing snow is nothing compares to many other issues.
My legs hurts and yes the back is cracked but my reality is built on self respect. I will rise and even if I wanted I wouldn’t be able to quit, I gotta keep runnin’ till the “pavement” will split.
My winter training usually means taking a break and reducing the cycling training load but still cycling on the trainer a couple of times a week, and continuing to run outdoors (less volume, only three days a week) in the cold, wind, and snow. If work, life and weather cooperate I’ll take up cross country skiing and fit in some strength training.
More Running, less cycling, and even then its trainer cycling
I live in Miami, so winter is actually the best time to train: cooler with less humidity!
Running and mountain biking increase, road biking decreases…unfortunately, eating increases…pumpkin pie is my Achilles heel.
When we have snow I switch from running to cross country skiing and ice skating.
I think winter has got offended by Latvia somehow. Not coming here anymore, at least not for too long. So for me winter is an opportunity to get more fresh air in the lungs. Just dress a little bit warmer and look under my feet instead of counting crows when going for the run.
switch to indoor trainings – treadmill + functional training
Previously living in southern Arizona, all that would change was adding a layer of clothing. Now in Alabama it is about the same except for a rare snow day now and then.
I’m one of those lucky ones who lives in a tropical climate where the winter is actually the nicest time of the year to train. Thanks Ray!
Even living in the French Alps, unless there’s heavy snow or ice, I jump on my bike or go for a run. And I particulary enjoy going outdside and do some sports during the cold months.
I live in south Florida so the winter doesn’t much affect training other than having to occasionally use a long sleeve shirt and gloves.
I keep running on winter too!
During winter i use TrainerRoad for my bike training sessions. Swimming i can do in an indoor pool and the running sessions are kept outdoors in the woods…
This would be great for cycling and hiking!
I live in Norway so we have a lot of winter gir. Just put away summer cloths and take out the winter cloths!
Then just keep running!
I put screws in my shoes and cut down on any speed work. Even with screws in, it’s just hard to go fast on slippery roads. I also take twice as long gearing up because I can’t figure out if I’ll be too cold or warm for the weather outdoors.
Cheers!
In Norway you just put spikes and more clothes on, and keep going:)
Bundle up in layers & add some more indoor crosstraining.
Unfortunately hit the treadmill. A lot.
I cut down on my speed work and generally do more slow long runs.
Weightlifting and swimming. I don’t like the cold:)
I move to indoor cycle training and treadmill for mid week training, but the weekends are still outdoors!
I live in Florida! It was 82 degrees yesterday!! Same old, Same old!
When there is no snow I keep running in the hills. More treadmill and weight training when it gets really cold.
I usually wack on more clothing and tell myself to harden up. Plus of course the occassional in-door gym session.
I get tougher mentally and change nothing else!
Keep on running + some winter hiking/mountaineering for the weekends
I simply wash and store the bikes for winter, and find my running gear, and once we get some snow I start with back country and alpine skiing, ice skating and long walks!
During the winter, bike-wise, I usually just go out for 70-80 km trainings a couple times a week and, if it is windy, I do intervals (no hills close to my place, near Venice), while in summer I spend a day a week (if possible) to go train on the Dolomites or on other -not exactly- local climbs, as Monte Grappa.
As for running I just put some more clothes on and try to do longer warm ups before trainings. And if the weather is inclement (ie snow, heavy rain) I stay at home and jump the rope, stretch, do push-ups, crunches and stuff like that, or watch tv. I usually watch tv.
Skiing & trail runs mostly
As I train in the morning and live in a kind of warm place in Spain, I don’t have to really make any important changes in my training schedule, just some tweakings ;)
During winter, I’m switching things up this year. Focusing on weight training to build leg power. Maintain base with 2x/week short interval workouts per sport, but 3x/week weight training sessions tacked on.
I keep riding my mountain bike until we hit bellow -15C which should happen in the next 2 weeks for sure. After that I get on my spinning bike for at least 4-5 months 3-4 times per week with a few outdoor rides on my mountain bike. I also start to run once or twice per week around mid october and switch to nordiq skiing between Christmas and new year.
From running to skiing and the gym
Crazy weather in Austin TX. Running but more mountain biking. Training 3-4 weeks.
Fenix3 a perfect upgrade from Edge 500
I run outdoors as much as possible and as much as my will allows :D Luckily I have also a treadmill and bike trainer. I am now taking on swimming more seriously and I love cross country skiing, so plenty of options for me :)
Hello
In the winter I continue with my strength training in the gym. My road bike gets put on a trainer in the basement where I continue riding. If I get bored there, I attend a couple of spin classes to absorb like-minded energies.
I also add more swimming in the winter. Pools are more adaptive to lane swims. I prefer swimming in lakes, but that swimming is more fun as opposed to training.
On top of that, I’ve increased my walking. I get a ride to work in the mornings and walk home in the afternoon. It’s not that far, but every step counts :) and it’s a start.
I just put on more clothes!
I live in the tundra of the north, Boston, MA. I understand that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but after the record breaking 108.6 inches (approx. 2.75 meters) of snow last year it very much seems like a tundra. My winter regiment is fairly standard – dreadfully long treadmill runs, interval training on the bike trainer, and weekly indoor tennis.
Unpacking my layers for all sorts of condition in New Jersey to keep on running
I do resistance training and short high intensity cardio in the winter and save the long runs for the spring.
Just have to adapt to the ever changing seasons in NH, USA.
Snow shoe running races, FAT BIKES, bit of skiing, and the less fun trainer rides.
I step up (no pun intended) plyos and intervals which helps tremendously when adding skiing to the mix, but the greatest training adaptation by far is transitioning from post workout summer ales and lagers to Octoberfest and hearty winter beers. Refueling has its rewards every season!
Unfortunately … I head indoors
I keep it basic and take most of my workouts inside, treadmill and bike trainer!
Training for a Tough Mudder through the Georgia mountains, unfortunately the GPS watch I’m currently using has been unrealiable. Could only imagine what a Fenix 3 on my wrist would help me accomplish.
Thanks DC for all you do to inspire us! ?
Except for a few really cold days, long sleeves are enough for me.
I keep running in the cold! I switch to the treadmill a few times when it gets too icy outside.
Ran my first marathon in the summer, and have switched to learning how to swim. Now I swim 5 days a week.
Getting snow on the ground here. So the bikes on the trainer and just got myself a pair of cross county skis to try out this year.
I live in a warmer climate, so I actually run outside more in the winter than the humid summer! Just have to keep my ears and hands covered.
I enjoy running both on road and trail.
Living in Houston, TX winter just means my runs are bearable! A bit less cycling, but I love to swim in the cold!
Living in New York I try to power through the winter runs, with plenty of layers, hat to keep my poor frosty ears warm and gloves.
Compared to summer the winter running climate where I live is far superior. My training is adjusted to where I run much more in the winter making any “A” race one in the spring or very early summer.
I hate cold weather, but I just suck it up and deal with it. Not much different than summer, other than wearing what feels like 10 lbs of clothing. Given it’s a lot less humid, I drink a lot less water!
I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and even though it’s not Hawaii, we don’t have snow in winter. So it’s just a matter of adding a buff, light gloves and 1 more layer to the running gear.
Adjust the clothes and avoid openwater swims.
that’s really all there is to it.
well, in Florida no winter adjustment is needed!
Just add some lights in the morning runs and a rain jacket. Train as usual, that is, very little!
My main sport is rowing, so for winter training that means a lot of rowing on the indoor erg from Concept 2 and a lot of weight lifting!
The weightlifting part is my favorite, because rowing on the erg in the winter is usually very difficult AT workouts.
I don’t have enough space for a bike trainer in my apartment, but that’s what the gym is for!
I’m not bit on tri training outdoors in the winter, but my dad would love the watch and he’ll go out in almost anything.