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I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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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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FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
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- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
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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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Remember seeing Kona for the first time on TV as an overweight/out of shape high schooler and thinking “those people are crazy” and “I wish I could do that.” Never dreamed one day I would be competing in tri’s myself!
Watching Chrissie Wellington flying on the bike breaking segment record!! Of course, also Watching Macca´s new championship!! GO MACCA GO!!!!
Hawaii can be heaven and it can be hell. :-)
I think I first learned what a triathalon was by stumbling onto a tv piece about the Kona race.
The colours… I’ve never seen such vivid colours as I have on Hawaii…
Watching Kona highlights when I was a kid thinking these people are crazy. Now hoping to get there someday myself.
Just running in the nature… liberating, inspiring, and beautiful!
Never been to Kona, but I wanna win the FR910XT. :)
Watching the inspiring stories from the age-group athletes. It’s amazing to see what challenges people have overcome to get to Kona!
S P A M burgers with pineapple! Weeeeee!
Cheering for friends who qualified!
I really like those Hawaiian rolls.
Never been to Kona, but went to Maui for my honeymoon. Loved it.
I never went to Kona…
I remember watching my first Kona on my little laptop and being totally fascinated only to remember like 3 hours later that I actually had chores to do! ;)
Thanks for the giveaway!
Freshest and tastiest pineapple in the world is in Hawaii
6 Russian triathletes including one Pro in Kona this year! That’s the new record for our country!
Captain Zodiac Boat tour from Kona Pier – best tour ever!
Watching the amazing personal stories of the athletes. They always give me hope that I can compete in IM, albeit false hope!
I like watching the people finishing just before the cut off and hearing their stories.
Just playing a drinking game with my roommates watching the race :D
Seeing Chrissie win and then hearing about all the injures she had including a torn muscle.
The Ironwar! Mark Allen vs Dave Scott! I didn’t watch this live but I have since watched documentaries on it… so good! What a race!
Kona Coffee!
My first memory is watching on TV last year after I got into the sport 2 years ago. I was so excited to see how amazing the top athletes are and just wishing one day I can race that course.
with this watch, itll help
Saturday morning after my long run, coming home, brewing a tall french press of coffee, and watching Kona streaming off the internet.
Lew Hollander finishing every year; if he can do it, no reason why anyone else can’t.
Hope to be as fit as he is when I get to his age.
Dreaming of a vacation on a tropical island.
Julie Moss crawling
Watching Kona and irresistible desire to take part in it.
So I always enter your contests and never win! Here’s to hoping that this one is different!
I really have enjoyed watching several Kona races. I enjoy all the drama, etc., but my favorite memories are always the underwater shots at the start. The videography is always amazing!
Honeymoon in Maui !
I remember the first year watching the race online. I was at my parents house with a computer open for Kona, another computer for a friend in a marathon and the tv on for playoff baseball!
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Seeing Crowie cramp up with a mile to go last year and then still pushing through it for an awesome finish time!
nothing beats watching someone (else) running around lava!
Waking up on the beach!
In 2004 I crossed the finish line at full speed (not that it was fast) and didn’t see my wife put our daughter in the run shuute and crossed the line only to turn around and see my 4 year old sucking up the applause and running across the line herself
The thrill of checking live feeds as a teammate competed in 2010
Can not wait to watch the race this year!
Hawaiian pizza!!!
The wildlife is the best part!
I will be dreaming of going to Hawaii tomorrow, aka my birthday.
Kona win please!
I liked when they featured a guy in his 70s. Pretty inspiring.
I had no idea what triathlon was until I watched last year’s Kona championships. I have watched it again a half a dozen times since. I also met Chrissie, completed my first Olympic tri and signed up for two 70.3 next year. Kona inspired me, Kona drawing me to triathlon like an earth magnet.
No question, it’s the inspirational stories showing what everyone has overcome to beat the odds and make that “attempt” to become an ironman. Each of them over the last several years have been what pushed me toward training so I can earn that right to be called an IRONMAN by 2014.
I love chocolate covered macadamia nuts while training for my races…but for some reason all I get are nuts and a big mess in my pocket.
I share the sentiment that Macca’s second championship was epic! Though if I ever get to Kona, I’m sure the underpants run would be a huge highlight.
I want it! My Timex is feeling dated.
I share the sentiment that Macca’s second championship was epic! Though if I ever get to Kona, I’m sure the underpants run would be a huge highlight.
No particular memory springs to mind but I’m entered!
pineapples!
We recently had a great party with lottery etc to sponsor a guy from our team who qualified for Kona in IM Sweden (so pretty short in advance). I hope he’s been able te maintain/improve his form for Hawaii!
Hawaiian coffee!
As a runner I’m a bit of a Loner
And sometimes also a Moaner
But for what its Worth
I also Surf
And for that reason was often in Kona!
Watching Crissie win. Every time she wins it’s like she’s winning it for the first time. Macca’s first win.
Dole whip. Amazing stuff from Hawaii. It’s like lightly pineapple flavored whipped cream.
Favourite Kona moment, watching pictures of the underpants run for the first time :)
The story of how it all began.
Watching Hawaii 5-0 while sitting on the couch.
Forgot to put a Kona related comment. I loved watching my wife be inspired by Chrissie win that first time. Always good when your wife stars liking your hobbies.
My son had a really nice and strong Kona mountainbike, when he was 14. Unfortunately it was stolen after 6 month.
Hawwii 5-0
I enjoy watching the finisher videos on Youtube. One of these days, I’d like to complete the race myself.
Unfortunately loco moco is no food for runners…
I wish I can do it one day!
As a kid, I can recall watching the Ironman with awe on Wide World of Sports.
tracking friends and kona coffee….
:D
That’s got to be the 1982 women race, with Julie Moss finish
Last year I watched Kona on TV for the second time in my life. I had already lost over 100 pounds at that point and was looking forward to competing in my first triathlon in the spring. Now I have lost 200 pounds and am inspired by all the ironman participants I watch on tv and know personally.
Chris Lieto Pushing hard on the bike part with his fast Trek
Watching Chrissie Wellington overcome her injuries and come from behind to win the race last year. Truly inspiring!
Being there in 2003 for my honeymoon. I didn’t follow triathlon at the time, but I have since. It was great to see it in person!
Watching craig alexander dominate the run last year
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I’ll have to catch the latter part of the race as I have a long bike tomorrow. IRONically I’ll be trying to stay warm.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens.
I love watching the inspirational stories of the people racing for something larger than themselves!
Best memories are watching US-network coverage with their uber sentimental stories.
Aloha!
Doing the 70.3 Honu last year and thinking… my god, do I even want to qualify for Kona??? This wind has physically blown me off my bike! Numerous times!
Watching the broadcast on NBC with my wife who finally “got it”!
winner winner kona coffee!
My friend came back from Hawaii on his honeymoon and gave me a chocolate covered macadamia nut.
My favorite Kona moment was the first time I saw the Ironman world championships on TV. I had just graduated college and was a bit lost with regard to my future. After watching it, I was so inspired, I signed up for a triathlon the next week before I had a bike to ride. Becoming structured with my training helped me become structured in my life and eventually help pull me out of my lull and got me started on my future.
The story of the beginning of Triathlon. Who will be the IRONMAN?
And a foto on this years World Press Photo, it is a nice one
My favorite Kona memory was watching two years ago and seeing my friend who was competing in the background while they were interviewing some of the pros at the start. I never thought I’d see her on camera while I was watching. I felt so cool that I personally knew someone who had qualified and was racing in Kona.
Training training training!
Steffen and Jacobs will win in Kona!
Tracking friends during the race…
those great shirts from Hawaii
I’ve been watching Kona online the last few years and the suspense of 2010 with Macca and Raelert then the excitement of Alexander in 2011 nearly missing the course record. I was entertained.
Nothing better than a cup of Kona coffee in the morning…
When I was about 11 years old I remember watching Mark Allen win and thinking one day I would do that race. Signed up for my first Ironman this summer
Hawaii related, windsurfing at Spreck!
Chrissie Wellington!!
I dream not only of making the podium in my age group at Kona Ironman but also scuba diving with the 100+ giant manta rays that live just off the coast of Kona.
Yay weekend giveaway!
My best Kona memory is a well-deserved week at the Waikoloa Hilton, paid for with frequent flyer points after 2 years of 80-hour weeks in a software startup. Good scuba, good tennis, good food.
Someday!