Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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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!
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.
Please include in the giveway. Mahalo!
I generally object to the way most people overuse the term “BBQ.” BBQ means many hours of slow cooking over low heat such that meat stays incredibly moist and tender. Usually what people mean when they say “BBQ” is “grill out,” e.g. burgers, etc. on the grill.
That said, I’ll be doing the latter this weekend and playing a lot of beach volleyball. With a race coming up the following Saturday I should theoretically be tapering, so I’ll give that a try even though it just isn’t in my nature!
My 3-day weekend ends my transition period (always need a break after a big race) and officially starts IM LOU training. Saturday – road race (I love tri’s, but battling it out on just a bike is fun too). Sunday and Monday – 2 big bricks, 80 miles on the bike each day, then 6 and 8 on the run.
nice run in the country on Saturday, lunch (maybe BBQ on the Sunday) with long bike ride on the Monday, providing the weather holds!
Nice giveaway, and keep up the great posts
Count me in! 5K on Saturday, picnic on Monday!
I plan to train for an upcoming century bike ride.
Workout, and go down to my cousin’s and fire off the cannon (yes a real cannon) and bbq.
A busy weekend of cycling on Saturday, running on Sunday and lots of DIY!!!
I’m staying in town for the weekend so I’ll start the weekend off with a good swim workout at the pool and then I’m meeting up with a friend to eat and drink like Germans at Biergarten Haus. I plan to bike there but will likely need to metro home. Saturday involves sleeping in, hitting the farmer’s market then getting in a long run. I might go pick strawberries with a friend if the weather is nice. Sunday I have a long bike ride planned in Culpeper; hope to do 60 miles! Sunday night will be for relaxing with friends and grilling out. On Monday I’m helping a friend do some gardening/yard work and then we plan to hit the mall for some holiday shopping!
Hoping the rain stays away so I can get in a good bike ride, run and OWS. Plus time to eat lots of grilled foods.
Planning on grilling something on Monday with friends after a long run. then maybe a group ride
Get into trouble with the 4 1/2 year old, ride some trail, watch a Bulls ball game, and house repairs. Toss in some grills veggies on the grill and you have a receipe for an awesome weekend.
I plan to run on Saturday and who knows for the rest of the weekend, but mostly enjoy a soccer/dance free weekend with the family.
Saturday and Sunday heading up north to visit my parents and do some work on my car. Monday most likely going to hit Brat Fest here in Madison, WI.
A nice long run, catching up on sleeping, then a BBQ with friends, looking forward to it already.
just like the rest, swim bike running!
Yay for DC Rainmaker give aways!! They’re the best!
I’m racing a local sprint triathlon, my first of the season, and then I’ll graciously allow my in-laws to spend quality time with my little one while I train, nap, eat and drink beer. It’s good to be an American.
Saturday and Sunday with friends and FOOD.
Monday 10K in the morning and a friends wedding in the afternoon.
Busy weekend, but all good!
Thanks again for another GREAT giveaway !!!
Nothing special, Just going to spend a lot of time with the family.
Why, I’m going to make some Pulled Pork of course: link to dcrainmaker.com
I have used your recipe (along with my variations of course) before and plan to again this weekend.
That and what constitutes a long run for me these days.
Long bike ride Saturday and a long run on Sunday. Monday begins recovery week.
My weekend plan is very simple, only 1 word: work.
i want to say that i’m spending the weekend relaxing. but it’ll likely be partying with friends. so i’m going to need another few days to recoup after that!
I have a long ride and long run scheduled in preparation for the Old Point Tidewater Triathlon coming up. Spending the rest of the weekend with great family.
Yes please.
70+ mile training ride, of course! :)
Erm… yes please!
First tri of the season on Sunday for me, but then up at 4am for a flight to the States on Monday, so no Bank Holiday for me :-(
Went for a short trail run on Saturday, tried to swim in a lake on Sunday but the water was too cold, so I chickened out. And next weekend I will BBQ some steak with Montreal rub on it.
I’m planning on riding a century from Fort Collin, CO to Estes Park, CO on Saturday and working on my veggie garden. I would love to also grill up some chicken with friends!
Running a local 5K, of course.
This weekend will be spent, cycling and running. Getting the pool up so I can relax and soak up the sun. Have a good holiday all.
Working out, entertaining my kids, enjoying life, attending the annual block party bbq, and remembering those who have sacrificed their lives in service of this country.
i’m gonna volunteer at the new narnia exhibit at OMSI! also, i’m probably gonna make a casserole at some point.
Saturday
6am: 2 hour swim set
9am: 50mile bike (starting with 30mile chain gang)
“Breakfast” + homemade protein shake
Work
3pm: 8 mile steady
Sunday
8am: 50 miles, steady ride
Revise
7:30pm: 90min swim set
Monday
5:30am: 90mins swim set
7:20am: 6-7mile steady
Revise
4pm: 25 miles recovery
Oh hai…I left you a comment to enter the giveaway…I shared it on Facebook too so maybe that counts for 2…If it does thats cool…but if not thats ok too…kthxbai…
Lol, Thanks DC!!
jakester99999@hotmail.com
Stayin’ home. Long run Tomorrow followed by extensive honey-do list! Love the blog, especially the detailed reviews.
Painting my windows, having a bbq with friends on saterday and on sunday biking and chilling in the afternon.
Hi Ray – 11k trail race Saturday, long run Sunday, downtown Greenville, SC for US Cycling Champs on Monday. Enjoy your Weekend! Jerry
swim, sleep, run, work, grill (steak & beets), butter pecan ice cream, sleep, bike, fun family down-time :)
Is it bad that I wondered how good the bbq sauce was instead of the watch??
is it bad that the bbq sauce seems tempting.
I’ll be partying in the sun all weekend, with a long run on Sunday. I will unfortunately have to work on Monday… =(
Recovering from running a 10km PB last night!
Great blog – keep it up
Ride, BBQ, Ride, BBQ, Ride, BBQ… not necessarily in that order.
Hi… After my first marathon on may 15, I’ll rest all the weekend… I think I deserve it. No?
Thanks!! Great posts!!
S/S : Last days of spur of the moment vacation, and the M holiday to do laundry, chill and grill. :)
BBQ Saturday, Racing Sunday, Resting Monday :-)
BBQ, some sun and well time with family for the weekend.
I’ll be training… hard.
Greetings from Copenhagen in Denmark!
Picking up our new pop-up trailer tonight so we’ll be practice camping in the driveway tonight.
Other than that, we have very little planned for the weekend so we’ll see what the weatherman brings us and go from there.
Running: If it feels like work, you’re working too hard.
Hi, just found your blog while looking for Garmin reviews. That’s what I’m doing today. Tomorrow I’m putting up the pool, Sunday running, and Monday BBQ :)
I’m spending my weekend training of course!
saturday: 10 mile race in chicago
sunday: attempt a 30 mile long run
monday: couple mile barefoot chill run
+family/friends/beers
-yroc
Thanking any current or veteran military person I encounter this weekend! And a swim, a bike and a run, but just not with an all togetherness..
Supplemented with some sorta food from a grill somewhere (accompanied by an adult beverage :)
As always, thanks for sharing the active tech goody goods!!
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I’m going to work this weekend… :(
I don’t want it.. I need it! Tchau!
Great stuff Ray!!!
Need to run 8 miles on Saturday morning & then get started on my lovely wife’s To Do list.
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I wish I was doing a long run but runner’s knee has me sidelined. So I’ll drown my tears with a couple burgers, a few friends, and plenty of beer!!
I’ll be erg-ing it up because I stuck on a boat all weekend. Thanks for the excellent reviews.
DC Rainmaker, awesome giveaway btw. Thanks for putting this together. I plan on pacing the 2hr 1/2 marathon group in the National Capital race weekend in Ottawa, Canada on Sunday. Missed the 1:50 time last year by 2.5 seconds ( damn Polar ):):)
Jim
I’ll be starting the weekend with a lake swim outside London, then later I’ll be making a Beer Can Chicken on my new Weber BBQ. Then a road trip to Cardiff to spend time with my cake baking version of The Girl.
I may find some midieval BBQ at the Iowa Renaissance Festival that I plan to attend this Memorial Day weekend.
Run a bit on Friday, ride on Saturday, swim on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and work on the honey-do list the whole time. Also consume dead animal flesh cooked over open flames.
I’m gonna run the Bogota 15k, otherwise nothing major
Down time with my crazy busy family and friends for a bbq!
Hoping for some sun this weekend. All we seem to have in Toronto is rain. Have a good long weekend my American cousins!
Pretty relaxing weekend with a BBQ at a friend’s house (best kind in my opinion — no mess to clean up!).
I will be working on Saturday and Monday, but I plan to do a nice, relaxing run on Sunday. Thanks for the giveaway!
Awesome blog Ray. I read it everyday. Very detailed and informative.
Hi! I’ll be hiking on the southern French Alps, in a park called Mercantour. Thanks for your great posts!
I coulod use a case of BBQ sauce if the FR 610 foes elesewhere ;o))
Haha spending my weekend in Canada!! New Brunswick as a matter of fact.
I plan on spending it programming swordsandlasers.com But I wish it were something cooler, does that count?
Running my first marathon on June 18th. Would love to have this on my wrist!
Over here in England I’ll be running at our free 5k on saturday, open water swimming + transition practice on Sumday and on Monday I’ll be watching the big football (soccer) match cheering on my team Reading to hopefully get into our Premier league
Attempting to fly kites with the kids.
5k race on Saturday, bike ride on Monday (with extra hills!)
Enjoy reading your website. (pick me)
Thxs.
ann_correa@yahoo.com
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I’m looking forward to a weekend with no plans for a change!
gazpacho and corn on the cob!
Saturday: 60 mile bike ride starting at 6:30 AM, then relaxing the rest of the day and maybe doing some yard work. Good chance at an evening hike with the wife and dog.
Sunday: Long run (9+ miles) in the early morning, then relaxing around the house all day until the wife gets home from work.
Monday: Volunteering at a local 5K in the AM, hiking/eating in the afternoon.
Cleaning up the house as some friends are coming over for a visit… hopefully get in an 8 mile run and then a BBQ!!
Running a 55 miler, then a 24 hr race and then a running a 10hr under the stars. 3 Ultras all lined up.
I will be spending time with family, remembering lost friends from the Marine Corps and getting workouts in.
Hi from Norway
I understand that everyone sees memorial day as a time to get out of school, be off for a federal holiday and I understand that. I however will be spending it in memoriam to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by visiting the graves of our honored heroes in Normandy and taking a nice long run through the town. I hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday weekend but let us not forget why we have this time and who it truly belongs to.
Hello from Norway
Saturday: 63 mile group ride followed by level 2/3 yoga followed by a trip to the dog park where we pick up a friends dog for the weekend.
Sunday: 53 mile group ride followed by run with the dogs followed by level 2 yoga
Monday: Swim, then easy flow yoga then Ashtanga yoga, then easy run and easy ride.
I will be cycling along LSD (Lake Shore Drive – Chicago) enjoying the 90 degree weather, after enduring a 50 degree week. After burning some calories I’ll try not to burn the marinaded flank steak on the grill!
Think I’ll spend this weekend reading this thread!
The upcoming 3 day weekend in Aust is June 11/12/13.
It will be my 40th BIRTHDAY – so I will be celebrating with my family, friends and hopefully my new Garmin 610.
Thanks for the great web site.
spending the weekend in the mountains of North Carolina relaxing and enjoying family.
The 610 is great! Come by City Sports Gallery we have 4 left all w/HRM.
I’ll kick off the weekend with a 10- mile run on Saturday morning, then intervals of bike rides, being dad, and BBQs along the three day weekend.