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.
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.
2012 was my first time watching Kona, although my favorite triathlon moment that’s not my own remains the duell between Nicola Spirig and Lisa Nordén at olympia 2012
Watching Starky crush the bike last year with the big American Flag on his helmet…great seeing an American leading!
New to triathlons, so I haven’t watched it on TV yet, but I have watched some clips. Mainly some the epic finishes and one that was from quite a while ago that showed the competitors at transition starting to change before they entered the tent. Honestly my favorite thing to see are clips and pictures of friends or friends of friends who are at Kona.
I would love the new Garmin.
Watching Chrissie win her third straight title. I knew nothing about tri, but was amazed to see someone who I thought looked frail just dominate the field.
Wide World of Sports, eons ago, thinking to myself “These people are crrrrazzzzyyy!”
Wow that’s a long race.
It was about 12 years ago I watched a recap of Kona. At that moment, though I was terrified of water and couldn’t swim, I decided I would complete an IM by the time I was 40. Last year I finished IMWI 2 months before my 40th.
Best memory was a few years ago when watching a highlight I thought to myself, “I could do that!”
I remember my first IM World Championship 10 years ago with slow Internet and very small video size. Not much seen but was able to follow the race through the live feed until early in the morning European time :-)
Last years win of fellow countryman Frederik Van Lierde
Julie Moss!
Been watching last the world championship highlights package on TV the last years. Do follow the race live on tracker though. As I’ll be tomorrow
thats easy…ironwar
I was with my now husband during the first year we were dating (5 years ago).
First time watching Kona, I remember seeing Marino putting an incredible effort on the bike, before collapsing on the run. It gave me chills
I’m not sure exactly when it was that I first saw Kona, but my memory is that it was a 30 or 60-minute segment on Wide World of Sports or some similar show, and that it was set to John Tesch music, like the Tour coverage of that same period in the mid-80s. I do remember the spectacle of later finishers struggling just to make it to the finish was both captivating and bewildering.
Just watched some Youtube videos to get a real feeling of the event.
Kona 2010 . I had just done my first Sprint, and I was hooked on tri, looking for everything and anything online. I found the NBC coverage, and knew I wanted to be an Ironman.
Macca v Raelert showdown!
Watching Craig Alexander and Chrissie Wellington win it in 2008.
the hoyt’s.
Team Hoyt of course!
Hearing about the Ironman and wondering who would want to do that
Chrissy Wellington getting a flat in 2008, losing precious time and then regaining the lost time to take another win in Kona
Not sure when this was, but I do remember that it was my introduction to the ironman. I was totally floored by the distance and how fast they were going.
Its so inspiring to see every athlete to struggle to overcome their limit and their opponents limmts that seeing Kona’s ironman motivates me to overcome my limits! Thank’s to every athlete to give me motivation to make me a better person and athlete!
Last year watching Ramsey and Ward training snippets then on-line to see how they’d do. this year was Ohno and Greenfield (not as famous but wasn’t planning on racing until two weeks ago!)
Team Hoyt
Julie moss and the crawl
group video from late 80’s. one of the local club members bought back a video of a few Hawaii races, and watched those with a few club mates. Looked awful!!
With a b/f who was very into it.
Seeing the mass start of Kona 2012. Extremely impressive. Also the part when S. Kienle got the flat tire on his impressive bike course. I’ve watch my first Kona videos back in November 2013 when I decided I will train for Half Ironman. Kona 2012/2013 videos were really inspiring.
Craig Alexander’s course record in 2011!
Watching an ABC Wide World of Sports special about the February 1982 Ironman in the mid 80s as a young teenager. Didn’t think much about it until I got interested in the sport myself a few years ago. I have a much bigger appreciation for the significance of it now.
Watching it whilst attempting to finish an assignment. Safe to say the assignment did not get done.
The best memory of watching Kona was when Miranda made a huge comeback to win it!!
See Faris Al Sultan winning in MY first year in Triathlon.
In 1993 when 5 time champion Dave Scott came out of retirement and finished in second place in that year’s Ironman which had a field with an average age of twenty
Watching footage of the cycling leg online and wanting to do time trials myself.
I’d have to say the best memory was watching Greg Welch win in ’94.
Just finished watching this year Kona Ironman 2:40AM here, Sebastian was unbielevable, real true Ironman!
Flipping through channels before I started running and watching it for an hour!
Watching Dave Scott and Mark Allen battle on Wide World of Sports. Major drama for my teenage Saturday afternoon.
Watching motivational videos based on Kona’s stuff when it’s hard to open you eyes after getting a short night of sleep and you have to go swimming.
I remember watching the Ironman championship in the early 2000s, soon after completing my first sprint. I was with my dad, a physician, and we both agreed that it was insane to do that to your body. Well, I might be signing up for my first 140.6 soon.
As a very novice runner, I found the NBC promos at work. That of course led to watching all the episodes over and over. The stories, Hanz Zimmer music, and intensity of the race led made me to feel a passion in my gut and I was signing up for my first marathon that year. I’ve been addicted to running and gadgets ever since.
watching the early years last year as i prepared for my race wondering how they did it with the tech they had
watching Norman set the bike record, hope to qualify someday!
Watching it on-line a couple of years ago and realizing that they are crazy!
My favorite memory happens every year when my husband doesnt do anything all day long but watches Kona. I try to pull him away from tv’s, computers, everything, but not luck.
I just enjoy trying to get him to do anything else
watching the 50 something nun finish at Kona
Professionalism & Passionate Abandon:
Tie:
Macca & Andy R. shaking hands in the final miles.
Norman’s frantic attempts to pull his tubular tire off his wheel – even tried to get it off with his teeth.
I remember watching them pedal away in the blistering heat of the Hawaiian sun, no pack (I was a roadie at the time), just individually grinding through 100+miles
“beautiful people” ..was mine first thought
Watching Julie Moss collapse, get up, collapse again, get up again… I finally understood what heart, grit, and determination truly looked like in sport. I still get a chill watching that finish.
The beautiful scenery!
Lance Armstrong!
Definately Julie Moss!
I remember watching as the runners cross the finish line completely exhausted and being inspired.
I’ve been following Kona on YouTube for a couple of years now. The best memory… I’d have to say that the fact that there always are a lot of interesting stories to watch and be moved by – every year!
Obviously, for some it’s about winning the race but for others it’s all about finishing the race or just making it to the start.
For me it was when Mirinda Carfrae, passed Daniela Ryf for the win and her 3rd championship.
It was back in the late 80’s for me. I probably found the coverage while flipping channels on network TV, but between the dramatic commentary and the music it felt like watching the Olympics from the same era. I was captivated.
Andreas Raelert and Chris McCormack in 2010!
Probably 20 years ago on network tv. Thought endurance sports were crazy at the time. Wish I knew then what I know now.
1982…Crawling to the finish line!
First year of Tri, first year live-streaming Kona!
Watching on network TV in the mid ’90s; all the late finishers struggling in the darkness just to make the finish cutoff time.
Live tracking a family friend and showing our kids YouTube videos of some of the classic moments.
Last year, watching my first Kona race was a great experience! Hopefully I’ll be able to experience it live one day!
I have watched several on TV and online, but the most exciting for me was when Rinny Carfrae won it in 2013. Epic.
Just watched some clips. Could only dream of getting to that level of fitness.
“These people are absolutely crazy and how can I be one of them??”
Chrissie Wellington’s brilliant smile and Norman Stadler’s flat tire hissy fit.
I was amazed by the competition. I would love use the clock.
Just a few minutes ago. After watching my first iron man live in frankfurt, seeing sebastian kienle winning again – this time taking the holy grail in hawaii.
Last year watching the live feed on my laptop!
About 8 or 10 years ago I saw a hi-light show on TV. I remember thinking it didn’t seem so tough…..boy, was I wrong!
I don’t look to new technology to boost my performance. But new tools and toys don’t hurt!
Last year training for my first triathlon and getting inspired to hit the road!
i don’t remember the exact year but at least 2 decades ago. I thought the competitors were absolutely insane competing an event that was so long long and difficult. I knew id never run a marathon just five years ago but just signed up for IM mont tremblant. Competing in kona would be amazing!
Amazing athletes!
Another one for Julie Moss.
Watching Julie moss crawl to re finish line on YouTube videos.
Rinny running through the field in 2013 and again this year!
Must have been the Julie Moss crawl
Crowie win in 2011. Have been a fan of his and the sport ever since!
Julie Moss, ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
Julie Moss.
Just a brief broadcast on TV.
Julie Moss crawling. Thats determination right there
Julie moss for sure!
Best memory is watching any of these phenomenal athletes cross the finish line!
Julie Moss and youtube.
First time I watched was as a competitor. I remember watching Macca stretching away from Andreas Raelert as he ran down Palani hill and the crowd was roaring. I was running up it at the time.
Setting up my indoor trainer & watching mark Allen & Dave Scott dueling it out as I pedaled away in the basement–winter in chicago-land
Watching Julie Moss
Chrissie winning after a flat tire, awesome.
Chrissie Wellington coming back post flat
watching highlights on YouTube of Kona from the last 10 years….getting inspired
Went to visit my parents who live in Kona last year and rode on a plane packed with extremely fit Iron Men. Got off the plane and the airline people were welcoming the Iron Man Competitors and a lady told me that it was obvious that I was one of them…yeah, I wish, but it was nice that she thought that at least. Awesome seeing the real competitors in action!!