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!
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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:
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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.
Watching Rasmus Henning in 2012.
Seeing this Macca guy; people seem interested – is that his name?
A couple of years ago watching the stragglers at 16 plus hours trying to make it. Having finished 5 IM at 15 to 16 hours(age 65 plus)I could feel their pain on autopilot.
mirinda, last year
Maccas first win it’d I remember right. It was the NBC replay
Watching TV, taking care of my kids and wife. Real multi-sport. :)
Saw my first televised Kona a few years back. The focus on the athletes trying to make it in by the deadline stands out the most.
I remember watching Julie Moss and her famous stumble on ABC Wide World of Sports coverage in 1982!
Never watched ! But I promise I’ll do!
Chrissie Wellington, 2007 !
Julie Moss. Wide World of Sports, ‘Nuff said.
In 2008 after finishing my first marathon and being amazed that anyone could do all of that in one shot!
The story about the Dad that competes for the child he lost at Sandy Hook was pretty moving.
I enjoy watching it every year. I find after the pros finish the wait for the last remaining finishers is the best bit
Julie Moss crawling on some silly “best of” show a few years back.
1999 The swim start got me thunking, that is impossible, why people would want to be there?
Waking up the next morning and still seeing the race going on
crawling finishes on WWofSports
Just wow, … insane people! and then I go and do an Ironman many years later, lol.
Last year, got to watch the whole thing online
The gods made love…
2009 when Craig won for 2nd time and Lieto gave his best!
I loved seeing Rinny win last year.
Watching Chrissie win
Watching Gordon Ramsey finish.
nbc sports replay and watching Wellington come from behind to win!
I’ve watched the replays for years, but last year was the first time I watched it live online.
Last year YouTube videos of it.
I remember seeing it on Wide World of Sports, early 80’s.. just amazed at what these athletes could do!
Chris Lieto getting passed my Crowie at Mile 24 in 2009.
retransmission dave scott mark allen 1989. Best ever
I was trying to video (VCRs, remember them?) Some mountain biking in the early 90s and got Kona highlights instead. Wasn’t doing any triathlon at that point but decided to watch it anyway.
Cue 1 hour of slack jawwed amazement that inspired me to take up triathlon and ultimately enter and finish two iron distance triathlons (IM France 2002 and Outlaw 2012). Still brings a shiver to my spine now thinking about it and how evocative those names are – Queen K, energy lab etc.
Always been impressed with those running sub 3 and sometimes sub 2:50 at Kona after the swim and bike. Enjoyed watching Tim DeBoom win back to back in 2001 and 2002. Met him at the Boston 2012 expo.
Watching some TV coverage years ago. Being just dumbfounded that there were even enough people in the world who could finish an Ironman, to make it a real competition.
Awesome specially when Fernanda Keller, Brazilian, was racing it.
2012 web videos.
Watching Julie Moss as a kid and seeing it again years later as an endurance athlete and fully understanding what she was going through.
Watching rinny kill the run last year
Julie Moss back in 1980 something…
watching Eneko LLanos last years, trying to win in Kona, year after year after second in 2008
Watching Crowie break the course record in 2011. I remember shouting at the TV because he didn’t know he was that close to missing it!
Julie Moss crawling across the finish… A replay since I wasn’t into triathlon at that time. Also the 78 year old in recent times…all of them are inspiring
I remember watching it when I was really little, single digit age and thought they were nuts, and now…
can’t lie, haven’t see, but still love to win any thank you
The cannon at the swim start always sends shivers down my spine.
Watching Chrissie Wellington win her 3rd Ironman World Championships in 2009. Incredible performance!
i know its boring, but it has to be the infamous crawling for me too… actually i think that was the first time i heard about ironman…
About 10 years ago, running on a treadmill in the gym, when I was 30Kg heavier and could barely jog for 10 min.
I thought, that is insane, how can somebody want to do that…. and now I’m here on the ship of long distance Tri.
i always watch it and think why would they run that far after riding that far. Now after riding so many years and enjoying swimming, I am going to suffer through the running and work at finishing a ironman, funny how the bucket lists change. By the way, love your reviews, thanks for all you do.
i have a fenix 2 now and I would love to get a 920xt for tri
Footage from the 1982 race. The athletes had course maps taped to the coolers they carried on the bike.
The Julie Moss footage, as an ultrarunner reminds me of all the times I’ve bitten off a little more than I can chew and kept going.
Juergen Zack, in I think 1997. Beast!
Got to be reading ‘Iron War’ then checking out as much footage as I could possibly find online from Kona that year; being inspired by all that to enter my first Ironman last year. Massively inspiring, but single handedly the most painful thing I’ve ever done. I’ll be back for more.
Chrissie losing her Co2 a while back.
I remember watching Wide World of Sports coverage as a young kid and thinking it was a slightly insane event, ironic that I’m signed up for my first IM in 2015 the week I turn 49…
Watching the first time Chrissie Wellington competed and wondering who this woman was that was putting everyone to shame.
Rinny passing for the final time last year putting the major bonk of 2012 behind her!
Macca and Crowie battles
watching Julie Moss crawl
Last year was a lot of fun watching the live feed online and tracking some teammates as they crossed the line with amazing times! At some point I always end up tearing up.
Ironwar 1989, Mark Allen vs Dave Scott. Best race ever!
Can’t remember the year… but watching the athletes battle the brutal winds on the bike course! So inspiring!
NBC coverage and Craig Alexander winning
I cried when Macca handed a sponge to Raelert with about 3 miles to go. And I had to secretly wipe off the tears because the spouse is just around the corner.
Youtube just now!
Watching Greg Welch on the TV at home in the living room with the family in 94 bringing it home for the Aussies!
Watching Chrissie and her smile while crushing souls. Never could understand how she could keep smiling and going thru that pain.
Kona ? A few years ago, in slow motion time with my poor DSL connection.
But like it !
My first Ironman memory was of seeing the PNF meltdown. A-1 Super bonk of all time.
Watching Rinny nug it out, online, with my daughter, last year. It was online and inspired my youg athlete!
Watching IM on Wide World of Sports in an Army barracks in the late 80’s, during which a buddy talked me into trying one with him. With no training and rented bikes from the Army sports center, we entered a Bud Light “short course” race now called “Wildflower”, and I thought he was trying kill me. But we’re still friends today.
Rinny last year winning and taking the course record from chrissy. Awesome!
I NEED this in my life!
watching Crowie set the course record
It was on the TV when I was running on a treadmill in a gym… early 90s ish. Amazed at how fast they were going! First time ever seeing it. Never realized how much it would change my life.
Checking out iron war footage and generally scoping youtube
Wide World of Sports in my early teens, when they swam in briefs, used road bikes and ran in loose shorts…
One of my best memories was watching Craig Alexander passing everybody with great form and determination!! Go Crowie Go!!
Watching it on a crappy streaming signal and marvelling at the bike and run paces of the top pros.
One of the best events to see of the year
First time seeing the world championship race was a tv replay of the 2013 race. That’s what got me started and hooked with triathlon!!
One of my friends, Chris, did so well at Kona back in the day, he was given lifetime entry into the event. Badass.
Oh….. I guess it was a few years ago, in a TV program about one of Crowies victories. I’ve known about it .. but never cared too much….. After that, I went in a discussion with some friends about “Hard things to do in life..”… Well .. I’m 8 months shy of my 1st Ironman Race, 40kg lighter, a LOT poorer, and dreaming in one day, being in Kona for the Big Race (but now, as a Triathlete, I have many friends in there Saturday ;-) )….
on ABC sports in 2006 from that moment I knew what I wanted to do. I had no bike, no running shoes but yet set out to get into the sport.
Crowie breaking the record
Watching a friend compete.
I remember coming across it on tv many years ago and said to myself that I will do that one day. I finally did Lake Placid this summer. Qualifying for Kona will happen one day for me. It may take me till I’m 60 (only another 20 years) but I will do it.
Dave Scott and Mark Allen, IronWar
My first memory was seeing Mark Allen win on nbc sports television.
Paula Newby hitting the wall
2003 I started watching it and thought to myself “one day i’ll qualify to be part of this.”
2008 Kona when Chrissie Wellington had a flat tire – panic and mental fatigue aside, she was able to get a spare Co2 from a good samaritan racer and gets back into the and made up the lost time within an hour.
I started watching IM about three years ago on YouTube but now follow it online and will definitely be watching it live tomorrow. It was definitely my inspiration to start doing triathlons :)
Mirinda Carfrae’s run in 2013
The heat hitting me getting out of the plane..and the cannon scaring the crap out of me
I can’t remember the first time seeing it, but it was back in the 80s. For something more recent, seeing Chrissie Wellington’s constant smile always sticks in my mind.
Watching the rerun of 2009 of Chrissie’s performance! I still can picture her bike in my head.
watching norman staedler running out of energy
Rinny last year winning and taking the course record from chrissy. Excellent!
Watching Crowie wobble at the end of the marathon and still knock out sub 7 miles