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.
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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!
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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.
saw them all on the internet though, hope can be someday personally :)
Watching Crowie’s phenomenal skills during the 2011 Kona. Dude’s a beast
Watching the 1995 race and seeing paula newby-fraiser collapse moments from the finish line and missing the win! She probably should have dnf’d due to hyperthermia but she pulled through and finished like a champ!
2008 or 2009 with Chris Lieto giving everything he had and Crowie going smooth a silk.
following Hines Ward prepare and finish the ironman.
Julie Moss finishing.
Definitely like the big showdown with Scott and Allen. Side by side for 135+ miles!
Watching Tim DE Boomer win his first world championship.
For me it was the moments they’d show people abandon. Those were always heartbreaking.
Watched the end of the 2013 WC on the laptop in the middle of the night from Norway. van Lierde was fighting cramps at the end of the run but made it all the way :)
Julie Moss…crawling…pretty sure it was on Wide World of Sports, but not sure sure.
Watching in the middel of the night the end of the 180 km and deciding tot go tot sleep because of work. Sadly.
Definitely watching an Iron War retrospective. Those guys in the 80s and 90s knew how to rock their neon.
My best memory is watching it last year with my teammates, but this year will be even better!
Watching Crowie taking it again
Watching clips on Youtube…
Remember watching and hearing about it as a young boy when it seemed to me that the men competing must have truly been Iron Men. I was in awe of the accomplishment.
Wellington winning her last IM at Kona.
has to be julie ross finishing!!
I remember watching as a teenager and not realizing what the amazing performances that were being shown. Now that I am into the running community I am shocked with the ease of which the top athletes performed.
Remember watching Kona one Saturday night in the late 90s, and being amazed at the finishers just coming in before the 12 midnight deadline.
I thought that the people were insane or superman to race in that event.
Still I think that but I am trying to be one of them
2012….new to the sport….watching Crowie in the opening coverage on NBC and thinking, “Wow! He’s my age and has a family too.” Now, if I could only pull off a sub-9hr Ironman!
wacthing the 2 hour show not knowing the result and seeing rookie Chrissie Wellington smash the field and smile the whole way !!
Read about Ironman history few years back ( I guess ~2011) and looked up some videos on YouTube, as others mainly remember Julie Moss finish… I was thinking these people are crazy….
I was about 6 or 7 (25+ years ago). I was visiting family in Kona and distinctly remembered all of the craziness that was going on. At the time, I didn’t know what it was…just thought it was another day in good old Hawaii ‘nei. After a few years, I would see coverage on TV and just be mesmorized by the brightly colored jerseys and seeing seeing the athletes pass out being so close to the finish line. Though it took me another 20+ years to find the time and self discipline to train for triathlon…those memories live in my mind every day I train.
Watching Sian Welch and Wendy Ingraham crawl across the finish line.
Years ago surprise on the tv. Triathlon is 140ish miles in the heat and lava? No way!!!! Hah! I love it now!
Watching Chrissie Wellington win her final Kona. Having crashed just 2 weeks before, and in some pain, overcoming the odds in her usual ferocious manner.
Watching van lierde winning 2013 on his p5
Being in Kona volunteering for the first time when Macca and Raelert duked it out.
I went to Kona in 2008 to watch some friends race, and was the fattest guy in town. It was awesome!
I watched 2010 on YouTube. I’ve been hooked since then and have watched every one I could find.
YouTube clip of the infamous Julie Moss finish
I was almost 9 years old, very active in regular childhood sports like football, baseball, and basketball, but seeing Julie Moss and the Ironman was the most amazing sports feat (and still is) that I had ever seen. I remember bawling like a baby when I saw her ending on TV. It still gives me chills today.
watching the year Crowie bowed out with technical difficulties trying to defend his crown.
Funny enough, I’m gonna have to say Magnum P.I. too! :D
Seeing ordinary people crossing the line and knowing that I too can do it
Get real! No one would actually do all that. It’s fake: filmed in a studio.
Watching Julie Moss crawl to the finish on ABC Wild World of Sport as a kid and thinking she had to be crazy. Little did I know I would be drawn to the sport as an adult.
Watching online my friends father in law do Kona at the age of 56!!!
First memory of Ironman was of John Howard, considered a cyclist, took the title.
Me please. I would love the FR920. Great device.
This will be my first time watching Kona! I only started doing Triathlons a couple years ago. Now I’m hooked. I’m looking forward to watching the best Triathletes at Kona!
Watching at the finish line when Crowie set a new course record in 2011.
watching it back on NBC back in day. Watching them biking across the lava fields looks so hard/rewarding at the same time.
My first memory of watching Kona was in 2012 when Pete Jacobs and Leanda Cave won. I was so enamored and inspired I signed up for my first triathlon Ironman 70.3 Racine while watching.
Watching Marino broke down on the run near Energy Lab while he was leading the race in 2012. It was an unreal and very sad scene.
My husband forced me to sit through hours of Kona live streaming on a laptop. He recorded the Ironman documentary coverage of Kona and it’s permanently on our DVR, a go-to when nothing’s on. At some point I started paying attention, got inspired, and now I’m running 1/2 marathons! Hey, gotta start somewhere.
Watching Chrissy Wellington smiling all the way to the finish line, love her!
watched my first event on YouTube
The first time I saw it, I fell in love with the TT bikes. I was also pretty sure the competitors were not human
Watching the story of Chris Mcdonald from Sandy Hook, CT was heart breaking and inspiring last year.
Definitely the best one must be Chrissie having a CO2 cartridge passed to her!
My first time watching Ironman Kona and what inspired me to become a triathlete was back in 2013 and seeing this guy dressed in full firefighter turnout gear including boots and as a former firefighter I know how heavy and cumbersome this gear is during a routine call yet alone 140.6 miles. I was proud to be able to relate as a brother firefighter and have him represent our fallen breathern. Thank you Fireman Rob for your sacrifice so we will not forget our fallen brothers and sisters who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Watching chrissy win her last. If I remember right, she had just recovered from a spill and even had a flat!
Watching Rinny set the run course, and overall course record last year. One of the greatest days in Kona history. . .
Watching a DVD (not sure what year) in my beginning tri spin class, wondering “what in the world…” Four years later and I love tri’s!
Watching Chrissie Wellington dominate every time she did it and then Miranda Carfrae finishing second after blitzing the field with her run and only just missing the win.
Looking forward the watching the event.
First time I actually remember watching (not pretending to from YouTube) was Normann Stadler in his prime. Funny how then it was all about the bike, but now seems like the run is key. Though that won’t stop folks from hammering away only to blow up in the marathon. Fun to watch if nothing else.
A friend did 2 triathlons in her life. Busselton where she came 3rd and qualified for kona and kona where she came 10th. Very inspiring to watch.
Is there any better than Julie Moss crawl?! Please don’t let me crawl on my first at IMAZ!
I was rather young, can’t remember exactly…but late 90s I guess!? Anyways, I thought it was so badass…figured I’d have to do a triathlon at some point…did that, 3 70.3s, one 140.6, and doing my first ultra this week end. 50 miler. woot woot. I’d love to rock a Garmin 920 for next summer’s racing season though. :)
Christie Wellington flat tyre and still winning.
I turned on the TV with no real plans in mind and as a runner in high school I was literally frightened see Julia Moss stagger to the finish. I had only hear the announcer mention “marathon” and I thought, if it is that tough to run a marathon, I’ll never make it. Later in the broadcast I realized the enormity of “triathlon” and was in awe.
For me, the best moment was watching Sian Welch and Wendy Ingraham do the “Crawl”! I was inspired and have been into the sport ever since. link to m.youtube.com
Watching it and being overwhelmed with these feelings. Almost bursting into tears by the effort these athletes put
its always awesome watching the pros, but my favorite each year is seeing the people that have a full time job and a family achieve their dreams. Last year I enjoyed looking for a local racer. Seeing him train in town and then compete at the highest level was inspiring.
The first footage I ever ran across was the 2 girls struggling and finally crawling across the finish line.
Chrissie Wellington flat and comeback in 2008! One of my favorites!
I would have to say watching footage of the Iron War and Scott and Allan talking about it. You can feel how epic it was.
the first time I watched the Kona Ironman I was a senior in high school. In that moment I knew that one day I would want to do an Ironman. 7 years later, I am now registered for ironman Texas 2015. Hopefully one day I’ll be blessed enough to compete at Kona one day!
Watching Norman Stadler hammering the bike :) was the first thing i ever saw of Kona.
Watching van lier de run through the pack last year.
Seeing snippets of it on tv in the 80’s growing up as a kid, still amazed by the skill/willpower to be competitive at Kona!
I remember back when it started and coverage was a big event. Scott Tinley, Dave Scott, Mike Pigg, and Mark Allen and Julie and Paula, even though the modern runners are incredible, the giants of memory where glorious. The awe has not left in 30 years.
The first time I watched it, was Macca winning by passing Andreas Realert in the final part of the marathon.
John Blias for the win!
Watching the old Julie Moss crawl to the finish breaks my heart and inspires every time I see it!
Watching it last year and wishing Andy Potts was in it!
My best memory of Kona is last year watching Rinny run down everyone for the win. I was sitting at my computer watching the live feed cheering
Watching for the first time the bike section in the lava fields Made me want to do my first triathlon.
Watching Paula Newby Frazier hitting the wall. Inspiring!
I watched my first Kona just a couple of years ago, a replay courtesy of YouTube. Watching Macca and Crowie duke it out on the course…I’ve been hooked ever since.
Watching the crawl battle for 4th place in the womens race.
First memory: Randomly turning on the tube in the Fall of 2000-something, looking for a golf match, and I found myself watching what I later learned was the Ironman World Championships. Specifically, the swim portion of the event. I vaguely remember turning to my dad and asking, “now… what sport is this?” A decade or so later and I’m now preparing for my first Ironman.
Three years ago and 50 pounds heavy..wondering who are these stupid people and why….now it is a lifetime goal to run a full even if it is not kona.
When I was teenager i used to watch every ironman broadcast i could. I dont know why but i was very interested into this sport at that moment. Now ironman become more popular in my country and we even have an athlete who finnished double and triple ironmen.
Seeing Macca win in 2010. Amazing, still inspires me now.
Last year via live streaming.
2009, Watch Crowie cross the finish line in style. It’s what got me to start doing triathlons.
Scott. Allen. 1989. Nuff said
It was the Ironwar of 1989.
I watched it on YouTube and it’s still there: link to youtube.com.
It has to be the Julie Moss finish line race but watching the recent kinda where the 2 female competitors came back Moss and ? That was cool.
Watching Kona 2012, after completing my first marathon and thinking, “yeah man, 2.4 swim, 112 bike, 26.2 run! that’s my next goal!!!!!!!!!!!
My first recollection of IM is from the Julie Moss affair, several years ago. Definitely made a mark.
watching Pierre Lavoie.
Mine was watching Kona 2010 right before I volunteered at IMWI 2011. My neighbor was doing the race that year, and we were there to watch and support him. At the time I didn’t really know what an Ironman race was, but absolutely loved watching the race and it kind of helped me prepare for what I would be seeing while I volunteered. 3 years later I’ve done IMWI 3 times, and getting ready for IMFL in a couple weeks!!!
I was sitting on the couch flipping through the channels as usual, stumbled across Ironman on NBC, I was totally drawn in and couldn’t stop watching!!! Afterwards, something clicked in my head, The week after .. I started running and cycling!! 1 year later, I will be adding swimming to the list as well. I will reach Kona by 65
First time I watched it was in 2011, I was in awe at these awesome athletes
Favorite year watching was last year while I was on the trainer after signing up for my first Ironman.