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.
You know the more popular you get the harder it is to win these things!
I’m spending the weekend with my family and gearing up with my last hard weekend for Boise 70.3!
I’m working Saturday and Sunday but that’s not going to stop me from competing in Sunrise Tri #2 here in Shreveport, LA Sundsy then Monday joining in on a big group ride that will do at least 50 miles. Good weekend even with work.
Spring rain just won’t let up here in Utah, and we are going to be under the weather all weekend. Darn. –Scott
For my weekend I plan to put all of my Garmins (310,500,305,60) into a pile on the porch and watch it rain. We have had something like three non rainy days since the temperature went above freezing.
Maybe if I leave them alone for awhile they might morph into the one single “do everything I want” gadget I have been searching for.
I’ll be releasing my inner-redneck and hitting both NASCAR races in Charlotte, look for me, I’ll be wearing the tan hat!
I am returning home to my family on Friday after being stationed overseas for the last four years. Get to finally enjoy some family time!!
scouting the course for a trail run the following weekend.
I’m running a 10k on Saturday morning at 8:30a, followed by a 5k at 9:30a. I plan to relax the rest of the weekend.
planning on going to a couple bbq’s, catching up on work, and hitting the pool (maybe Great Waves?!)
Hey!
I unfortunately will be spending the weekend working at a local running store (and of course running (a lot) and cheering friends on at a local race! ). On that note, I regularly recommend your website to customers who have either just bought a Garmin/GPS/heart rate monitor or who have questions we cant answer! Your blog is awesome and such a fantastic resource. Keep up the good work and good luck with your training!
Alcatraz is just around the corner
Plans for this weekend…run around downtown Atlanta, eat “Glady’s Knights Chicken and Waffles,” run some more in Atlanta, attend boring wedding…fly back home!
Regular weekend, just hills running on saturday morning, bike on evening and 75 minutes run on sunday. Getting ready for the XC season that’s starting here in Southern Hemisphere (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Hello,
pleas one vote for me 2 :-)))
I’ll be doing two training runs, one ride, and a local 5k race.
Friday to Sunday I will be helping a friend renovate an apartment and on Monday I will be enjoying a nice backyard BBQ eating and beer drinking session.
Off to Rochester, NY for a wedding. Don’t worry, there will be Dinosaur BBQ involved! yummmm
Happy to do my long run in the cool Upstate weather instead of the humid stuff we are getting in DC already!
Memorial Day Weekend!!! I have a bike planned for early Saturday morning. Then I’m driving down to my parents house in Virginia for a family BBQ and some time by the pool. Sunday has us running the DC Tri running course so “the girl” (mine, not yours) is comfortable with where we’ll be running next month. Sunday afternoon is lunch with a friend and some Chuck E. Cheese time to celebrate his birthday. Monday is a BBQ on a friend’s roof in Columbia Heights! Probably will fit a swim in Monday morning too, but we’ve decided to leave that part unplanned.
Thanks for all the great posts, Ray!
Me please DC
I’ll be running the Vermont Cities marathon. Of if the rain continues, swimming it.
I spent Victoria Day weekend celebrating my 17th Wedding Anniversary. Just started training with my old FR305 for the Victoria Half Marathon in Oct, this Old man is hoping to get under 2hr. I’m sure you could run it backwards in 2hr but not this 40 year old (not yet, anyways.)
HM training and some fine BBQ
This weekend I’ll be squeezing a run in during the kids’ swim lesson, then go for some extra cardio by mowing/triming the lawn. Hopefully I get some bike time in, but mostly I’m just going to enjoy some family time. Love your blog.
Well working Monday but planning doing some riding with the kids on Saturday
Run in the Rain! Gotta love the NW!
I will be playing in concerts all weekend but will fit in my brick and long run for the weekend, hopefully on a new bike!
I’m going to spend my 3.5 Days running around NYC. Hit up Central Park. Maybe see the Hangover 2. Just enjoy the good weather and all the city has to offer!
I’ll be running the All American 5K in Peachtree City, Georgia USA on Saturday. On Sunday it’s a pool party at a friend’s house. I will not be wearing my circa 1990 Scott Tinley Speedo style swim suit.
I have to work, but I’ll be hitting a bbq on Sunday! Oh, and some running and biking, too.
I will be swimming, biking and running most days this weekend and of course a BBQ of some sort will be had. Got to refuel somehow.
hi!
greetings from vienna.
i raced IM 70.3 St. Pölten last weekend. great event, no pb due to hot weather but a great day. this weekend will be resting (bad weather forecast), meeting friends, …
wanted to thank you for your great articles. go on.
cu
Herbert
Thanks for all the work on your reviews Ray!
Hmm, this friday night I’m playing octopush for 2hrs at Aberystwyth uni (in preparation for playing for Great Britain in the Netherlands in June). Yes, honest, I play underwater hockey for Great Britain :D
This weekend I’m planning to go surfing at a local beach in Wales (yes it will be freezing), then maybe a bit of revision for a uni exam next week. Sunday I’m planning to hit the trails for a long bike ride :) Gotta love the outdoors…
I have a best friend coming to town to visit… I have regular training stuff, but, my hubs has his second triathlon, ever. After three years he took a seat on my boat! Then, my Daughter (6), has “NextGen” practice (a kids tri club!). We have a busy weekend… but no BBQ. Hmmm, that might have to change! :)
Hope for a parcel heading for Sweden this time. Tnx for a great blog.
The husband, kids and I are running the Midnight 5k Friday (the 1 year anniversary of our very first race). Then we are going to spend 3 days camping at the cabin, fastpacking, 4-wheeling and eating too much good food!
ShaRee Hirschi
10k on sat and then a 50 mile bike ride of sun and nothing at all on Monday!
I’ll be packing and prepping for the honu 70.3 on big island. Second time doing that race and distance. Yaaaaay.
running and relaxing!
BBQ, a ride, a run, maybe a swim, ending with a 5k Race and hopefully a PR.
gimme gimme :)
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I am going to do my last long run before my 1/2 marathon and go to the pool and have a BBQ.
I’ll be riding and running. Plus we are doing smoked brisket and boiled crawfish on Sunday just to mention the good stuff ;)
Work day as usual here in Brazil, but hoping the Americans I have contact with are planning an uberBBQ quest of supreme food! Then I’d spend the afternoon at work, staring at my monitor while brain whispers (rather loudly) about how wonderful a nap would be. Sigh…
Im in! :-)
i have a swim and a bike on the horizon for the weekend, plus beach with the kids!
Three day weekend? Ha! My company isn’t celebrating, but I’m planning a weekend trip to Lake Tahoe. Mountain biking season is in full swing (although there’s still lots of snow).
Going to the Berkshires. Time to run on some real hills, not the wimpy ones in Newton.
I’m headed to Blacksburg, Va, this weekend to ride the Mountains of Misery, an aptly named century ride. I will need this Garmin only if the mountians don’t kill me first…
Ride Saturday morning before taking off for Mount Snow for a wedding on Sunday.
My Daughter was 12 yesterday, so she is having a BBQ party and sleepover this weekend. Somehow I’ll squeeze in a few back to back long runs.
Great Blog. Just hanging with the family. Big training block before Friday.
Grand weekend plans indeed.
Visit with friends on Friday, two graduation parties on Saturday, R&R on Sunday, the zoo with the kids on Monday.
Try to squeeze a long brick and some runs in there too. Two weeks till my ‘A’ race of the season.
Now that I’m officially back from injury after the NYC Marathon, I’ll be getting a good run in, maybe some biking to Coney Island to ride the Cyclone, and quality time with my girlfriend. Oh, and beer.
Ride 60 miles, going for the first open water swim…watching my daughter in a parade….
Getting back from out of town…riding Saturday…riding Sunday and working Monday!
Love the blog i read it everyday!
Friday – Hard training ride in the morning then Mariners/Yankees Game
Saturday – recon Stage 1 of the new upcoming Capital Stage Race in Oympica WA
Sunday – Recon Stage 4
Monday – easy training ride then lots of Babyback Ribs.
Love the blog and I read it everyday!
Running the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City!
Amazing blog for info and products. Spending the weekend in a 3-day golf tournament and hope to BBQ and hit the pool with a few beverages as it’s 90+ deg here in SC. Cmt268
Easy runs saturday & Sunday, then hit the trail for 20+ with the Keenyans.
This weekend I am planning on running a little bit, grilling up some meat and catching up on chores. Really exciting, I know.
Biking, running, sunning. And then eating copious amounts of BBQ’d foodstuffs.
Training, training and more training.
Plans: Working on a paper, cleaning my house, going for a run, perhaps a hike, and a visit with the family. Oh, and paying some bills. My life is really that exciting. Yep, it is. :)
My wife and I are heading to Branson, MO. We’ll take our bikes and enjoy some beautiful scenery. Maybe this time I can take the time to enjoy it, unlike during IM Branson 70.3 last september!
I’ve got a jam-packed training weekend planned! With a long bike, long run, and then OWS in Annapolis (inspired by your DC-area OWS links)- it should be fun! I’m still deciding whether to go sightseeing on skyline drive for the bike as well
I’m just want it… plzzzzzzz
Thanks for doing this.
Going to NYC for the long weekend.
Thanks!
eating food of course and lots of riding.
I NEED this Garmin!!!
I’ll be working 13 hours a day Friday, Saturday and Sunday, possibly finishing off with an hour on the indoor bike trainer in the stuffy basement at work.
Just go ahead and send it my way.
I am of the Vietnam War generation, and lost many good friends in that conflict. This is a day to remember and appreciate them and all veterans, and the sacrifices that they make for our freedom.
ITBS flare up means lots of time on the bike, like 200 miles of riding over the weekend and plenty of time staring at the black line. BBQ was not on the agenda, but it is now:)
Hanging out on a beach in Delaware. BBQ is definitely on the agenda
No long weekend this time around, but will be camping Saturday night on farmland so I can run in a two-day orienteering event.
Next weekend we have a long weekend and I am having a sport-free, guilt-free winery and cheeses trip out of the city.
Running Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
I’ll be strolling the Otavalo market for fresh veggies and Quinoa and trying to figure out how to stay here in Ecuador forever!
I’m in the last week of preparation for the Bergen-Voss race next weekend, so I have scheduled two long rides on the bike.
Well this weekend I have a ton of work to get done (college-related), my laundry all lying there ready to be washed, a haircut is in order and gotta catch a movie..
Also gotta start packing things cos I’m moving in a few weeks :) .
That’s it.
Lots ‘o driving!
Houseboat trip with flabongos.
Deep Creek Lake! Good times will be had :-)
In school!
Going to Houston to see wife’s family and celebrate Father-in-laws birthday. Probably catching an Astros game on Sunday and cookout on Monday.
“Long” Bike Saturday AM, “Long” run Sunday, short brick Monday. BBQ at my mom’s Monday.
Going to Houston to see wife’s family and celebrate father-in-laws birthday. Probably catch an Astros game on Sunday and a cookout on Monday.
Comment
As I’m in Canada – last weekend was spent: Saturday relaxing; Sunday: sprint tri; Monday: 3-hr ride with a friend.
Cheers.
I spent the long weekend, swimming, biking, playing soccer with the kids and thinking about cleaning up the basement and garage. It was great.
Saturday OW swim followed by run, Sunday Century, Monday lounge by the pool.
great blog!
Well this weekend will be starting off with a wedding of a good friend and from their me and a few guys will be headed to the lake for 3 days of good eating and lots of drinking. I am sure there will be some smoked ribs and slow roasted beef of some kind. That BBQ sauce may be something we need after all.
This weekend will be spent at Disney Wide World of Sports for the Memorial day shootout soccer tournament. My daughter is the keeper for her u9 team.
great blog
Rehab my IT band!