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.
Sigh. I have no Hawaiian memories, as I’ve never been to Hawaii. I once made my wife a kick-ass chocolate-banana cake with fudge/macadamia frosting. Does that count? Aside from that, I recall being mezmerized by the early years of Kona broadcasts.
The Pro Bowl!
Looking forward to watch Kona this year…
…racing the 2005 IM, after having countless problems on the way to Kona…
123Love their coffee!
The Pro Bowl!
In Hawaii now getting ready to race tomorrow!
Love to me there one day
TinaNutrition. My nephew is serving in the Air Force in Hawaii. Oh how I would love to go visit him.
Watching on tv. Especially the swim portion with all those thrashing arms in the churning turquise water. Maybe someday I’ll see firsthand.
None yet, but one day
Chrissie Wellington been nobody owning everyone with a smile
Watching on tv. Especially the swim portion with all those thrashing arms in the churning turquise water. Maybe someday I’ll see firsthand.
Watching on tv. Especially the swim portion with all those thrashing arms in the churning turquise water. Maybe someday I’ll see firsthand.
Never been to Kona but watching the Kona IM makes me think about running there!
Julie Moss finish
I have no Kona related memories and I’ve never been to Hawaii, but my boss tells me I need to head to Maui because his vacation there changed his life… And Hawaii seems to be where every Oregonian goes on vacation.
Been to Kona once, many years ago. Love to go back.
Next year maybe,
giI’ll do it….
Underwater footage of the swim is always great to see!
Macca… Game ON!
Who knows maybe I even more lucky today! (though how can I expect more after finishing 5k in 20:26!:)
Cracking open a fresh young coconut for a refreshing drink.
Kona coffee while watching the sunrise from the hotel balcony and scheming a plan to one day qualify.
Watching the Kona IM tv show a few years ago where a few Navy SEAL participants parachuted in to the crystal clear ocean.
No Kona moments but I know this is the ultimate goal of a triathlete
Watching the Macca vs Raelert epic duel on the PC.
A coach of mine placing in her age group @ IM WI and getting entry into Kona next year.
Real KONA coffee
Kona is a great thing to day dream about when you live and train in Ohio!
Nice beaches, surfing, Hula Dance and the ever popular show Hawaii 5 Os….
Stories of Chrissie Wellington’s first win
I would love to visit Hawaii some day. Who knows, maybe I will be there for a race :-).
Currently it’s the coffee flavored macadema nuts.
In a few weeks it will be my trip to Kona for 1st Tri!
kona coffee sounds good to me too.
The US TV coverage. Living in NZ, watching the TV highlights of Kona is all I get to see.
SPAM the other white meat.
Standing on the seawall on Ali’i Drive watching the pros finish in 2010
i remember watching it on tv in the late seventies on wide world of sport. That was totally new to me.
Trying again…
My favourite Kona memory is walking into the living room when I was a teenager and seeing my Dad watching a race on TV where these guys were running through a hot, desolate looking landscape (lava fields). “what’s this?” I asked. “Ironman,” he said, and proceeded to explain the race. I thought it was crazy. He agreed, and I sat down with him to watch those incredible (but clearly insane) athletes. Twenty something years later, I just might do one of those crazy Ironman races.
I recall watching my first race a long time ago on NBC…that planted a seed that would lead me to my first Ironman (in Wisconsin) in 2009. I’m getting faster but I have more work to do.
This is my moto for getting my ass to the dance…someday. link to youtu.be
Arriving in Hawaii in the early hours of the morning with my body clock running hours ahead of local, going for a run on the beach pre-dawn and watching the sun rise…
Gotta get me one of these.
Watching Macca and Raelert run side by side back into Kona on the Queen K. Each one not giving an inch. One of the most incredible displays of awesomeness.
Big Swell IPA :-)
Big Swell IPA :-)
I’ve never been to Kona but I did meet Dave Scott at a training seminar. One of the all-time greats of the sport.
pahoehoe lava
I had the opportunity to race as a blazeman warrior this year in my first tri. Prior to that I had been one of those people that stumbled across Kona on TV. But since then I’ve been inspired by Jon Blais and his Kona story.
I have a friend who qualified for this year’s Kona’s race!!!
Greta needs a watch!
My husband is a U.S Coast Guard Helicopter pilot here at HITRON (Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron) and the XO of our Air Station will be racing KONA, and representing the Coast Guard in a big way! GO XO!!!!
Great memories of my honey moon 7 years ago this next monday in Kona
Awesome!
Chris McCormack’s second title. Awesome
Chocolate covered macadamia nuts, of course!
Looking forward to the day my wife or son qualify for this awesome race!
Hawaii Five-O
i have a friend who lives in HI. Does that count??
I came to Honolulu for a conference and dreamed of going to Kona to see IronMan but not this time.I will do my best to come back in the future to take pat in it and not only look.Running and swimming in Hawaii is amazing and I should definitely also try cycling…Aloha!
I love watching the Kona recaps on TV…I wish I was in shape to compete….Still getting there.
My fav Kona memory is yet to happen! Hopefully I’ll travel to Hawaii soon. :)
Watching the winds sweep people across the road on the bike course.
The blue sky in general!
Hawaiian Punch is the best.
I like hearing every year about the underpants run!
This year, I’ve seen and read some great interviews with Leanda Cave. I’d love to be there sometime to cheer or compete!
Just knowing that there is such a beautiful place in the world keeps me motivated – one day!
Sarahfit.com’s blog posts of her in Kona as an ambassador for Timex! The Kona Underpants Run looks hilarious.
Kona Coffee is tops on the list of what reminds me of Hawaii.
fav: finishing IMWC 2011 last year!
The blue sea and sky
Watching Macca win Kona.
The blue sea and sky
Watching the last finisher!
My favorite memory will be in the future: The day I set foot on Kona after I ultimately qualify.
Cliche, but it was the Hoyts …
The first time I actually saw Queen K (driving on a completely unrelated business trip) was amazing and humbling … and made me realize just how much pain is involved
I watched an Ironman Marathon years ago while hung over on New Years Day. it was such a motivating experience.
Hope I can visit Kona one day!
one year, during the nbc coverage, the guys on scooters were showing Chrissy on the blackboard that she is the female leader. She turned to ask “but where am I overall?” Blew me away.
Watching the Kona Ironman motivational videos on youtube!
Chrissie, being a relatively unknown competitor, winning
Watching Rinny run past other competitors. Wondering if she was going to catch Chrissie.
Oh warm sandy beaches!
Dreaming of coffee and getting out of the heat and back to Seattle.
Manicured beaches…
The UNDIE RUN!!!!
Kona coffee!!!
Getting Layed! :-D
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The finishers coming in just before midnight!
Spmeday i am just behind starting line
My only Kona-related memory is watching short clips of the race wishing to someday be able to qualify.
Beautiful…Good Luck to all!
Sadly I don’t have any Kona memories however I’m going to Hawaii in May 2013 for a wedding : )
Swimming with sharks, biking in rain, and running in hills. Lets see if i can spot one of these.
A member of our local running group, Kelly Tolentino, is competing in it.
From the awesome performances from the pros to the amazing abilities of the age groupers (normal people…lol). Just really amazing what we can accomplish and do when we set our goals and work hard!
Seeing Craig Alexander win in 2011.