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
Hands on review of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Active ANT+ enabled waterproof phone
When Sony Ericsson added ANT+ capabilities to some of their Android phones last year, it was a pretty cool milestone. But with ANT+ comes the outdoors – and with the outdoors comes things that are generally considered ‘unhappy’ to electronic … Read More Here
In-Depth Review of the HeadsUp System Roof Rack Protection System
Back a few months ago I offered my views on how I avoid decapitation of my bikes when I pull into my garage after riding. Like most, my method is simplistic and functional. But it’s also tied to the reality … Read More Here
Review of 1BandID Sports & GPS watch ID bands
You’re likely very familiar with emergency contact ID tags – typically small bands that you wear on your shoe or person that identify who you are, and your emergency contacts. These are invaluable in case you get into trouble and … Read More Here
Week in Review–September 10th, 2011
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
Running from the floodwaters
Over the course of the day I watched from my home office window as the river across the street delivered all manner of items downstream. Garbage, soccer balls, tree trunks the length of school busses, entire 10’ trees standing upright … Read More Here
Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part III (The In Depth Statistical Analysis)
(Note from Ray: Two weeks ago when I published the results of the Bod Pod and body fat scale testing, a reader who happens to be a PhD Candidate in Pharmaceutical Sciences – Nathaniel Page – made an offer to … Read More Here
A Packed Labor Day Weekend
This weekend was pretty packed with goodness. From flights to near-20 milers (running) to a full house sit-down dinner. Let the games begin! On Friday evening we flew up to Connecticut for a Saturday wedding – this would be the … Read More Here
End of summer Garmin FR610 Giveaway Results!
Thanks all for the great entries in the FR610 giveaway! If you haven’t had a chance to go check out all the entries (yes, all 1,300+ of them) – definitely go spend some time reading them. It’s so cool to … Read More Here
Week in Review–September 5th, 2011
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
A look ahead to Interbike 2011
A little over a week from now the cycling world will converge on Las Vegas for the biggest show in the industry: Interbike. While EuroBike has been hammering away at it for the last few days across the pond, the … Read More Here
Tuesday nights at the track
The last few weeks I’ve been heading out just as the sun sets to hit up the track and get in my speed work. Why wait so late in the day though? Well I’ve been trying to get it as … Read More Here
Almost end of summer Garmin Forerunner 610 Giveaway!
Today’s the last day of August, which in my mind means it’s regrettably the end of summer. I know that technically summer doesn’t end until later in September – but since everyone considers September as ‘Fall’, that means that today … Read More Here
A look at Garmin Auto Lap by position for track and circuit loop use
Many of you probably use the most common version of auto lap today for your runs and rides, with it automatically marking laps based on a predefined distance such as every mile or kilometer. But if you’re doing a course/route … Read More Here
Running from Irene
The weekend started out rather calm – with a nice Friday evening swim at the outdoor pool. I had ordered a slew of different underwater MP3 players over the past few weeks, and for reasons unknown to me they all … Read More Here
Week in Review–August 28th, 2011
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
The reorganized and crazy big travel page!
A couple of weeks ago I had a few minutes while a pot of water was heating up for pasta, so I figured I’d spend maybe 15 minutes cleaning up the travel page and getting a few of my more … Read More Here
Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part II (The Results)
Yesterday we left off with nine folks getting weighed in on five different consumer body fat scales – all in the quest to compare it against the generally accepted more accurate method of using a Bod Pod. Some of you … Read More Here
Bod Pod & Consumer Scale Comparison Tests: Part I
I’ve always wanted to do some sort of comparison test between many of the consumer scales that are out there today that measure both weight as well as body fat against one of the more expensive options such as the … Read More Here
Converting a $99 Target Schwinn beach cruiser into my Wedding Bike
When we were planning our wedding that happened back in July, one detail that kept creeping up was our ‘departure vehicle’ – that is, how exactly we’d be departing the ceremony and arriving at the reception. Often times the bride … Read More Here
A bit of Washington DC flavor in my weekend
The weekend started off with a Friday evening swim at the outdoor pool, which is one of my favorite summer activities. I just love being able to swim outdoors, especially in the evening when it’s quieter. Regrettably, there’s only a … Read More Here
Week in Review–August 21st, 2011
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
Garmin Edge 200 In Depth Review
Yesterday the Edge 200 was announced as Garmin’s latest cycling computer in the Edge lineup. Unlike past Edge series devices though, this one took a notable departure from the pattern of adding new features, and instead choose the route of … Read More Here
Garmin Announces Vector Power Meter Release Date & Availability Info, also Garmin Edge 200 release
Note: Please see in depth post on Vector “Everything you ever wanted to know about the Garmin Vector pedal based power meter” posted here (it’s a whole lot more detailed and in depth, and includes comprehensive Q&A with the Garmin … Read More Here
Common Question: Why don’t I review ______ ?
I’m often asked when I plan to review a given product, or why I haven’t yet reviewed a given product. I hinted at this back in January during my ‘Blog: A summary and historical view’ post, which was sorta a … Read More Here
The blogs I read every day –a compilation of awesomeness
I read a lot out on the web, well, I try to read a lot anyway. Sometimes I fail, and sometimes things slip through – but my general goal is to consume as much goodness as possible and pass it … Read More Here