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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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.
Sarah Reinertsen coming back the year after she missed the bike cutoff and finishing.
Hawaiian coffee.
Oops, best Konka memory is watching the show droning away on the trainer in the living room. Good motivation.
My favorite Kona-related memory is snorkling with my family 15 years ago on vacation.
Kona coffee
Tripped and fell while running in Oahu and had to walk back into hotel lobby with blood dripping down my leg!
fresh fish, skydiving and hiking Waimea Canyon and Na’Pali Coast, Sunset at Haleakala
I’d like to go to Hawaii someday…
Sitting on the couch watching tomorrow waiting to race on Sunday. No Kona speed here
Watching the race coverage on TV as a kid. Started my interest in Triathlon.
Watching Jan Ripple struggle across the finish line, sometimes on all fours.
Macca winning his second championship!
Hands down …snorkelling in Captain cook. That was perhaps the most amazing snorkelling ever….Funnily enough I was there the weekend of the championship.
Seeing Tinley Lace locks for the first time!
The one that hasn’t happened yet! My never ending quest to qualify for Kona at some point!
Mine was snorkeling in Captain cook… perhaps the best snorkeling ever..Funnily enough, this was on the weekend of the championship.
When Mark Allen finally beat Dave Scott.
Easy to say when watching Julie Moss many many years ago, but now keeping track of my friends who qualify for Kona and participate each year. Amazing.
Hawaii related:
My wife and I went to Maui on our honeymoon. The flight attendants held a contest and I had the closest guess as to when the plane was going to be exactly halfway between airports. For my superior calculation ability, I won a can of Macadamia nuts :)
I’m in. Love the blog and have been following for 2 years now. This weekend I would love to see a Macca/Crowie battle. Rinny is going to have some competition with Cave.
the last finishers bringing it home in the dark
Listening to a friend describe his race in Kona.
I like palm trees.
Watching the live stream in 2010 and just amazed at how Macca just messed with Raelert’s head.
Watching the race online and hoping that one day I can be there in person either racing or spectating!
my greatest memory will be the one when i can tell everyone i know that i competed there.
watching it on tv… i get teary-eyed every time! maybe one day i’ll get to visit in person :)
Julie Moss in 82 has always epitomized Kona for me.
scottwk32@gmail.com
my favorite memory is running down Ali’i drive toward the finish line. After 25 years of triathlon and 17 tries at qualifying or the lottery, I was finally able to add this IM to my finishes.
It was sweet.
Greeting from Singapore. I just started running this June and going for my 4th 10k this month. Cheers to all the iron men in Kona!
Aloha
Watching Chrissie come back from injury last year and fight her way to the front. She is such an incredible athlete!
Just seeing Crowie win and the joy of his whole family.
Julie Moss
Chrissie winning with road rash and a torn bicep
It’s won on the run
Kona 2009 when Rasmus Henning finished 5th
The closest I came to Hawaii was watching Disney’s Lilo & Stitch movie
Definitely the underwear run!
Hoping I get to Kona someday, but for now I’ll settle with streaming the video to my computer!
Seeing my best friend finish.
Chris Lieto totally bonking on the run and Crowie just cruising past him. Felt bad for Chris.
Watching the TV coverage during the great DC blizzard. Looking for White Hot and Frayed Laces in the actual coverage, but never seeing them.
Rinnie vs Chrissy. Epic dual.
Never been, but will be lookign at the results.
My favourite Kona-related memory is my bike, a Jake the Snake. A brilliant all rounder, whether for commuting in London, touring in France or racing along trails – I love it! It may not be Hawaii but it keeps me happy…
Stephen H
Never been, but will be looking at the results.
2010 – Macca vs. Raelert. Iron war part 2!
fun at kona
Reading about one of the early Hawaii Iron Man races where Julie Moss collapsed close to the finish inspired me to consider trying a triathlon myself and my first ever sprint triathlon will be this Sunday, the day after Kona.
Watching on TV when I was in high school, inspiration to keep going.
I remember driving out on the bike route in December and there were still several paint markings encouraging the athletes visible.
The Kona Ironman Underpants Run…no reason not to like this part of the weekend.
watch looks great :)
Visiting Kona and driving the bike course!
Swimming with fish and turtles, and being able to see stuff underwater more than 1 inch from your face (unlike this east coast water!)
I’ve entered a contest to win a Kona Mountain Bike, but mostly when I think of Hawai’i I think of volcanoes and ukuleles.
I have no memory of Hawaii… But that doesn’t mean I don’t want any in the future.
Definitely a fan of the Macca vs Raelert duel in recent years. Hoping for a Macca vs Crowie one this time!
Watching a women finish the race in a walking boot six weeks after a stress fracture in her tib.
Beautiful blue ocean and beach
I love when they show the last few competitors come in just under the wire.
I’ve never been to Kona, but I drink Kona coffee all the time. And maybe one day when I’m 80, I’ll qualify to race in Kona!
Kona was the ULTIMATE race that I have ever completed…Since then I’ve vowed to go back EACH AND EVERY TIME I CAN. There’s something magical about that place
10:08 – Kona 2011
Chocolate covered macadamia nuts and beautiful exotic flowers!
since it’s all new to me, watching it on TV and being inspired by all those people putting out all they can!
I need one to compete for Hang Zhou marathon.
I started racing after watching the IM World Championships in 2004.
My favorite Kona memory was my wedding on the beach not far from where the triathlon starts. I plan to renew my vows in Hawaii after I qualify for Kona.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I have to say the profiles on the Hoyt’s
Last year I watched live as Chrissie Wellington came back from behind to win! I never thought I would want to do an Ironman, but after that I wanted too and now I’m signed up for Lake Placid 2013!
The Coffee Shack! link to yelp.com
I enjoyed seeing Norman Stadler break down and cry after getting yet another flat tire in 2005. It shows that even the top pros can get emotional and act human when things start to unravel for them.
Every year I watch the NBC broadcast while on the treadmill. One of the few things where I even enjoy the commercials.
It’s hard to think of a better moment than Chrissie Wellington’s win after losing a massive amount of time with a flat tyre in 2008. Not just for Chrissie herself but also for the camaraderie of triathletes even at the very top level, when she was given a cartridge by one of her competitors.
akai bowls and of course the underpants run.
Nice watch, I want one!
Akai bowls and of course the underpants run
Watching a documentary on Kona motivated me to compete in my first Sprint Tri…what a blast! I haven’t had that much fun in competitive sports since playing football on Friday nights in high school. I have caught the bug!
NOLAMich
Seeing the people come in around 16:59:59 – still finishers!
Watching Faris Al-Sultan crossing the finish line in 2005 with the Bavarian flag.
I haven’t been to Kona, but I did go to Kauai, HI for my first visit and it was amazing. Me and my wife went for our 15th anniversary.
I can’t wait to see the last man / woman crossing the finish line with a proud smile on the face :)
Maui Gold Pineapples !
Beer- Kona flavored Coffee Stout is yummy stuff.
woot! pls send it to me :)
My favourite Kona memory was Crowie breaking the record last year after the set back of coming in fourth the year prior. True grit from a good guy of the sport.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chrissie Wellington’s 2009 Kona course record
Team Hoyt. The truth of a father’s love and determination for the son. Love. Enough said.
The victories of Luc Van Lierde!
train + train …..
Normann Stadlers earthquake-win in 2006 !
The encouragement it gives to everyone that anything is possible
Meeting Paul Molitor on vacation back when he was MVP.
When I was 12 I flew to Australia with my dad and we had a layover in Honolulu. After gorging ourselves on sushi, we met a very friendly, attractive woman who was paying an unusual amount of attention to my visibly embarrassed dad, and that’s when I found out what a hooker was.
I would love to have this watch !!! If not Santa is going to bring me one in christmas
My favorite Kona moment was when people brought snow down from the volcan and made a VERY short lived 4 foot tall snowman on the beach!! As it melted, a snowball fight broke out with the remaining snow. Awesome!!
I Love Kona Coffee! Also, my microbio professor competed in Kona, and finished in quite a respectable time.