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
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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.
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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.
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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 2024 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.
Yearly Archives: 2011
A circular tour of Africa
Most folks can find South Africa on a map. After all, if you can find Africa, you can find probably find the southern portion. Simple enough, right? Welcome to Ghana But what about finding Accra? Well, ya probably need a … Read More Here
Did you qualify for the Boston Marathon and miss out on registration? Here’s a free entry for ya…
I was approached yesterday by the folks from Salonpas to giveaway a Boston Marathon registration slot to anyone who wanted it (including yours truly). Yup – you heard that right: A pre-paid entry slot to the Boston Marathon. Given I’ve … Read More Here
My Sports Technology Predictions for 2011
I’m back at it again – giving my predictions for what’s coming down the pipeline for the 2011 year. Last year’s predictions post became one of my popular and regularly read posts…and, for good measure – the vast majority of … Read More Here
Biospeed Aerus Bike Case Review: How I travel with my bike
A Bit of Background: If you travel as much as I do for work (150,000+ miles last year), you’ve got no choice but to get creative with your training. There’s simply no way you can be competitive at all three … Read More Here
Cycling around South Africa
If you’ve never been to Africa, you probably have a specific representation of what the continent looks like. In your mind, it probably looks a lot like many of my past posts – usually out in the bush, in places … Read More Here
Week in Review–February 5th, 2011
I’ve long since wondered what to do with all the random tidbits of things I collect each week – or the little thoughts that don’t quite make for a full post. But I finally came up with a solution: The … Read More Here
Checking out the EZ-Trainer iPad ANT+ App
With the introduction of the Wahoo Fitness ANT+ Dongle last year, there’s been a flood of iPhone apps that have supported adding ANT+ data (Heart Rate, Power, Speed, Cadence, Weight Scales, etc…). Everything from small apps you’ve never heard of, … Read More Here
A hands-on look at the Swimovate Pool-Mate Pro
Many of you have been asking for me to check out the Swimovate Pool-Mate Pro, which is a swimming watch that allows one to not only keep track of laps, but also download the data later. While there have been … Read More Here
The Next Garmin Forerunner Multisport Watch
Without doubt, one of the most frequent questions I get around these parts is: “When will the next version of ____ be released?” – which is typically “When will the next Garmin Forerunner be released?”. I should first say – … Read More Here
The 2011 Polar Bear Plunge…with a duck.
Sometimes it’s easy to get friends to join in my adventures. Yet other times, the crowd seems to disperse a bit. Take for example, the Polar Bear Plunge. I heard all assortment of reasons as to why a few in … Read More Here
Week in Review–January 29th, 2011
I’ve long since wondered what to do with all the random tidbits of things I collect each week – or the little thoughts that don’t quite make for a full post. But I finally came up with a solution: The … Read More Here
The Russian DCRainmaker brother from another mother?
Given it’s a snowy Thursday here in the nation’s capital – I figured this would be the perfect time to unleash a post that’s been sitting in my drafts for months…from one snowy place to another. A while ago a … Read More Here
The State of My State: 2010 Review Edition
Administrative Note #1: Thanks for the incredible response yesterday in the ‘What do you want in a sport watch?’ post. It’s coming up on nearly 100 comments. But not just quick comments – these are incredibly detailed and well thought … Read More Here
What do you want in your ideal sports watch?
Let me just state this up front: Everyone’s reading…so here’s your chance. Everyone…your chance. But…let’s not get ahead of ourselves quite yet. This past summer I put together a post titled “How I would design the ideal sports watch”, which … Read More Here
Giveaway Results!
Thanks all for patience in the giveaway results! Being the busy weekend, things pretty much just got packed (like the wedding invites). Sorry! But fear not…after 1,500 folks entered (representing over 2,200 entries!) and a lot of time sifting through … Read More Here
A weekend and wedding update
Finally – a weekend at home (with The Girl)! Woohooo!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, let me try that again. Wooooooooooooohooooooooooooooo! Ok, all set now. I haven’t had a weekend (or even a night) at home since mid-December, and prior to that…October 31st. Seriously. … Read More Here
Week in Review–January 22nd, 2011
I’ve long since wondered what to do with all the random tidbits of things I collect each week – or the little thoughts that don’t quite make for a full post. But I finally came up with a solution: The … Read More Here
The Not-So-Big-Fat Greek Runaround…and a side trip to Switzerland.
(Note: The results of the giveaway will be posted this weekend…after I sit down and sift through the 1,500 entries…that.might.take.a.while. A long while.) For those who follow along on The Twitter, you know that I’ve been bouncing around Europe the … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 410 In Depth Review
When the Forerunner 410 was introduced recently, the first question on everyone’s mind was: Has the touch bezel been improved? The second question was – how does this stack up against the current crop of GPS devices out there. Well, … Read More Here
The Blog: A summary and historical view
Every once in a while I get questions on how exactly this little ole blog works, or where it came from, or what my goals are, etc… And I piece meal little answers together here or there. But I figured … Read More Here
A look at the new Garmin FR410 Touch Bezel
(Note: This is a bit of a teaser on the FR410, the full FR410 will be posted later this week. Thanks!) There is no watch out on the market today that’s quite like the Forerunner 410, except of course its … Read More Here
Cycling in Jordan, and other adventures in the desert
After 6 days in Jordan, I’m now on my next leg of the trip, headed up north to Athens via Istanbul. I lucked out in that this work trip ended up on a holiday weekend, giving me an extra day … Read More Here
Week in Review–January 15th, 2011
Quick Note/Reminder: EveryManTri’s Annual Endurance Blog Awards poll ends Sunday night – and I’m fluctuating in and out of the Top 3. If you’ve got a couple seconds, you can wander on over here and vote. No registration or any … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 310XT Giveaway–January 2011!
Because it’s Friday. Because my bike finally arrived at my hotel in the country of Jordan three days after I did (though, my luggage…not so much). And because most importantly – the bike arrived in one happy piece. Thus, so … Read More Here
Garmin ANT+ Foot Pods: Everything you ever wanted to know
Heads up: This is an old version, Garmin has since released the Run Dynamics Footpod. Check out that link for the full review! Thanks Tis the season when the weather goes from bad…to ugly, and as such – many folks … Read More Here