Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, 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.
My next race will be Brugge 1/4 triathlon on the 21st of June.
Since I’m still recovering from an injurry the goal is to just enjoy the race and finish.
Next race is Arundel Triathlon in the UK in about 2 weeks time. Having just come off marathon training the goal is to get through the swim and the bike and hopefully make up some places on the run.
11k race on the Mapocho riverbed in Santiago going up (150 mts ascent app). No particular goals except not getting injured as there’s a lot of rocks down there.
Great website, keep up the good work!
My next race will be the Vernon Granfondo in B.C. I’m hoping to finish in 5:30.We’ll see :-)
Next race is June 15th, Lake in the Hills sprint. Was my first tri ever in 2010. 5th year in a row, plus it’s 2 miles from my house. Improved every year and I expect to do well this year.
My next race is Ironman Wisconsin in Sept. My goal is to finish before midnight.
Monumental Marathon, Indianapolis -3:30 goal
My next race is a marathon on November 1, Indianapolis. My goal is 3:30.
My only actual “planned” race is Muskoka 70.3 in September. Lots of other ideas floating around for earlier events but I really haven’t had a chance to sit down and figure it all out!
Tour of Frankenmuth (Mi) – May 24th
Podium finish
Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon on Sunday, May 18th. Goal is to survive so I can enjoy winning this giveaway!
Sydney Half Marathon, Sunday 18th May, target 1:40 :)
Timberman 70.3 will be the season’s big event; the goal is to finish with a smile
I will be doing a Boston to NY charity ride 260 miles, 3 days at the end of June!
Augusta, Ga. half IM in late sept. goal -finish.
High Cliff Triathlon, HIM distance, on June 14. Goal is <6 hours for my first half distance race, and to enjoy the ride :)
20 Km XC race planned for May 30th.
As I’m recovering from injury,the goal is to take it easy.
My next planned race is Canyon De Chelly Ultra Marathon, my goal is to do sub 5 hours.
My next race experience this year will be the bike leg of the Erding city triathlon on June 22. (Olympic distance with a 48.5km bike leg). First time competing in anything on the bike, so should be interesting.
Though most likely I will throw in a random tiny 10k or so before it.
Two races next week: Scottish Triathlon Championships, then 6 days later I’m part of a relay team for an invitational test event for the Commonwealth Games – very exciting!
Viken runt 72km on May 29th. Target 2:30
Dipsea 104th race. Hoping for 1h20m. Have tried to get in it for the last 3 years.. Finally… link to dipsea.org
Stockholm Marathon, May 31:st. Going for sub 3 hours!
running 5k is my goal. no specific race
Gulf Coast Triathlon 70.3. cancelled swim became a 69.1 duathlon. Original goal was less than 6:15 with swim. less than 5:30 with no swim. Finished 5:27
Stockholm maraton, May 31th, for me as well. Aiming at 3.30-3.45. Having this one and then a mountain marathon later on. Looking forward to getting tired!
Madrid Sprint triathlon on June 28th with my eldest daughter. Aiming to finish in one hour thirty or less. Then on to Wiesbaden 70.3 in August
Luxemburg IM 70.3 june. 5h45 would be great.
My last race a full marathon in December, the Kiawah Island Marathon, finished right below 4 hours. My next race is a local 5K this weekend. I’ve been battling with runners knee and an ingrown toe nail. Hopefully I’ll be able to start training again for real soon.
Abingdon 10k, 10 weeks away. My first proper competitive run, so aim is to set a benchmark to improve upon in the future.
My plan is to race with a team mate in a 12 h race. My goal is to survive…..
June 22nd sprint Tri in Northern VA. Trying to beat my time from last year and is the kick off tri of the season so looking to use it to tune up everything a bit.
I’m planing to do the Roundway Chase 10k tomorrow night. I know nothing about the course other than it’s billed as the “toughest off road 10K in Wiltshire” (UK), so I’ll be going in with an open mind and tackling it with as much energy as I can muster.
Raleigh 70.3 on June 1st. Sub 6 maybe? Just looking to learn a lot in preparation of Ironman Florida November 1st. Thanks Ray!
My next “race” involves hiking enough with my 6 year old on vacation next month for him to earn a new iPad (yeah a bribe for hitting the target). The goal is 150+ miles and 40,000+ feet of total elevation change.
My next run is summercarousell in Bergen, Where i hope to run 5k under 19.
Next “A” race is The North Face Endurance Challenge Wisconsin 50 (my first 50) where I hope to run under 10hr.
Galena Triathlon this weekend. Hoping to beat my time from last year and conquer them hills!
10KM race in whistler. My goal is to finish under 45 minutes
Last leg of the SOLA relay this weekend in Zürich. We hope to reach a top 25 rank this year.
My next race is a half-marathon along the beach in Dublin in July – hoping to get under 1:40!
Just a local half marathon planned for july at the moment if my injury lets me
The Palermo Swim in Uppsala. My goal is to raise awareness of the water quality in the river and hope to get opinion for more bathing spots along the river banks. And of course the traditional beer afterwards :-)
Lutsen 99er in MN 6 1/2 hrs
Last race was the pumpkinman half ironman! Went pretty good but I think I was a bit slower than last year. (I’m currently recovery from being hit by a car last September, so no races planned yet, hopefully soon!)
March 2014 – Tenerife.
Resulted in awful tendonitis which has put my training back about 8 weeks :-(
Liege Bastogne Liege Challenge all 279km of it…. went well finished below my expected time…. I may go back :)
Ray,
Doing Santa Barbara Long Course in August…its a wierd distance 1s/34bike/10run. Looking to get under 3:15 this year…last year around 3:20. Tough course so we’ll see!!
Thanks Ray
Dalsnibba Duathlon in Gerainger, Norway.
Ride then run up Dalsnibba- a mountain 1,500 meters above the fjord from which you start. The course is just over 21km- a half marathon distance.
This year I’d like to do the ride in one hour and fifteen minutes and the run in two hours.
Next race: MN State Fairgrounds criterium on June 24th, 2014.
Goal: To finish upright and in the pack. It will be my first race back from a crash in April that left me with a fractured C7 vertebrae, two fractured ribs, and a 4″ gash on my scalp.
It’s #critseason yo! Racing every weekend. This weekend it’s the PSIMET Omnium, two uniquely hard races.
Next race is a sprint tri in Dublin in 2 weeks. Hoping to knock 10 mins off last year’s debut time.
My next race is Eagleman in early June. It’s my first 70.3 so my goal is to finish and not hurt myself trying. 4 more weeks, bah.
Fools gold 100 mile MTB race in GA, USA
Next race is Olympic distance triathlon in Hyde Park in London.
Goal.. it’s my first tri, so anything that’s middle of the pack would be great!
Ironman 70.3 Mont-Tremblant on june 22. My goal is.to just finished alive and happy.
Only just getting started in cycling, actually, but I’m a geek and a sucker for cool gadgets – love your site.
As for my goal for this summer, I’d like to work my way up to doing a 50 mi ride @ 13-14 mph.
Cruel Jewel 100 mile trail race, May 16-18 (48 hour cutoff) – hope to sub 35 hours
Next race will be the Bay To Breakers 12k Sunday May 18th. I would like to just successfully finish as always. Last race was my first sprint Tri and I’m hooked! 200m swim, 10mile ride and 2 mile run in 1:01:28. Learned I may never get to do an open water swim as I panic’d even in a pool. Swimming isn’t my thing. :-(
Mr DCR. Next race is a cyclo-sportif in Adelaide, Australia. I and the team are going for top 3 in the 4 lap level; approx 60 km. Flat and fast course, so will be all about efficient team work.
Vineman 70.3 July 13, 2014 – link to vineman.com
Goal is to finish under 6 hours.
After the Girl tweaked her knee the week of a trail 5k, we convinced the race director to transfer entrees to my name. I ran a 18:15 for the win but would have loved to rub shoulders with the stacked 10k field that included 7th place 2014 Boston finisher Nick Arciniaga.
Next big race is Victoria Marathon in October. Hoping to BQ.
A freezing cold St Patrick’s day 5k in Detroit. Finished in 21:05 didn’t lose any fingers or toes :)
I’m competing in a 1/8 triathlon in September. No particular goal, but i’m just trying to make the most of it ;)
Next race is the Cotswold Classic Triathlon with aim not to drown :-(
My A race is Challenge Atlantic City on June 29th! I’m aiming to do better than my 13hr lake placid time from 2011. Not getting three flats during the bike should help!!
Bolder Boulder 10k, really aiming for 47 minutes….started my “running career” on last year’s BB
Colfax Marathon on Sunday May, 18th. 4 hours is the goal.
Hip labrum tear recovery then back to racing.
Itu chicago. Has colon resection last month so goal is to finish and make a step in my recovery
Plan on doing NYC marathon , hope for under 4 hour finish. Also my first sprint tri. Wish me luck
My next race is the Ultimate Challenge in Utah on August 9.
Next up is a TT where we’re going to see how well my aero dollars are working.
My next race is Rev3 Quassy half aquabike. My goal is to gauge where I am in my training. I am training for my first Ironman – Mont Tremblant.
I am doing my first century in September. Currently at 30 miles at a time, my goal is to be fully stretched out by Labor Day.
Tahoe Triple Marathon – Lake Tahoe, September 12,13 & 14th. Goal is to NOT wreck my achilles this time and finish all three – aiming to average 4:15-4:30 for each.
Don’t know if u can call it a race but probably a 150km cyclosportive in Belgium Landen-Trois Pont-Landen.
Just a local novice triathlon on 1st June – with the goal being a 400m swim FS in 10 mins.
Sorry my goal is to finish as my wife supports me but thinks it is still crazy for a 49 year old man to do
Next race is the holland hussel 5km in Nelson NZ may the 25th goal is under 24mins
Next race for me is The Ottawa Race Weekend, marathon. I’m planning on running a 3:40. It’s my second marathon.
Crescent moon Olympic distance tri, June 7, goal leave nothing for the run (doing it as a relay with an office mate.
Next race is ironman 70.3 Boise my first 70.3 and hoping to be under 6 hours
Next race – the local Thursday night crit in Kelowna BC. As always, my goal is to stay in the pack long enough to watch the sprint.
My next race is the Calgary Marathon, on June 1st. Just starting my taper now, my goal for the race is to break 3:30.
Any 5k that comes up next on long island.
Buffalo tri (Buffalo, MN)June 1st. Goal is to make the AG podium for the 3rd time!!
Tuesday night A loop race tomorrow night in Gatineau Park, across from Ottawa, Ontario. Good times… Even if you get shelled early!
To catch my kids. Goal is to not let them escape
Beach 2 Battleship Half – 10/25/2014 – Anything Under 5:50 (would be a PR)
half ironman sometime in the fall. haven’t quite decided which one yet.
Buffalo (NY) Marathon May 25th, my first ever! Goal = under 4:30.
Bayshore marathon in two weeks. Time to go 3:30-4:00 marathon which than just rolls into 70.3 training.
The Sutallee Trace Trail Challenge on May 24th 2014. I would like to finish in the top 3.
Pan Ohio Hope Ride, only a race to raise the most money for the American Cancer Society! 328 miles over four days!
Aberdeen 10k, 1st race in nearly 15 years hoping for sub 50min.
I ran a half-marathon with my sister last weekend. Her first, my ninth. She had a great race and it was a fun time for me.
Maynooth 10k. Coming off 10 months rehab with knee injury. Hoping for 50 mins and to get to sub 45 mins before the years out.
Next race will be Half-marathon of Quebec City at the end of August and hope for sub 1:50.
Army Ten Miler. Goal is under 8 min pace.