Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple AirTag 4-Pack for just $69, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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 2024 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.
From the title I was expecting some fronds in there as well, regardless very impressive effort. But the most impressive aspect is how you keep up your training. You have one of the most demanding work schedules I know of, and you’re still training like the pros.
Great one! Nothing like my 5 km around Marina Walk. :) Good to have you in Dubai. Have fun!
Turist by running, i like it :)
Did you do anything special for the elevation issues mentioned on the other post? It looks very ok in this run (or does strava ignore the elevation from the watch ?)
regards
It’s so-so. It dips below sea level a few times, but it’s not horrible for this run (here’s the GC file: link to connect.garmin.com)
You mean it is NOT horrible for this run ;) (As far as I see, it is actually very good, nicely showing the bridges very clearly – as one would expect from a barometric altimeter.)
Oops, yes, meant ‘not’, fixed.
My only complaint is the negative values.
personally I think the neg values might be normal. I’ve never found out what the 0 value is for a gps knowing that the 0 value in belgium is the average water height in Oostende a certain year, and in th Netherlands it’s the same but in Amsterdam if I remember.
So 0 in belgium is not the same as in the netherlands
and gps has 1 value for the world I presume.
Sea level…is sea level. In my case, I was starting a few feet (at most) above sea level.
In this case, I’m personally not worried it was showing me 1-2m below sea level at certain parts of the run. It just doesn’t impact any aspect of that particular workout. Other workouts though with much higher variances? Sure.
Check out the MinutePhysics video and Wikipedia article about “sea level”
link to youtu.be
link to en.wikipedia.org
You ARE the LORD of the breadcrumbs.
cool, did something similar yesterday when i ran out along a remote 3km sand-spit. GPS definitely gives that extra little nudge of motivation to get out there
There’s a skydiving operation on one of the palms in Dubai perhaps one of these days I’ll get to jump at it…
Yeah, it’s crazy that they have that little runway built out over the water for them. Hilariously awesome.
So the segment that’s on that run in Strava which is listed as an 11% grade really isn’t?
Not…exactly.
Did you see anyone else running or biking while on your route in Dubai?
It was at night, and at the start of their weekend – so most people were out and about doing normal person weekend things.
I did see one other runner mid-way out the palm. There’s also a two-lane running path out there too, but I somehow missed it (it was my intention to run on it). So that likely would have had more people there then where I ran along the road.
Hi
I did a similar run earlier this year :
link to strava.com
But I was determined to get to the Atlantis hotel – so I ignored the NO PEDESTRIANS signs at the entrance to the tunnel and carried on. It was only between tracks on my iPod that I heard the man on the PA saying no walking in the tunnel. I thought “what the heck, I’m running not walking”
It got very hairy the other side near Atlantis where there was only a steep grassy verge next to the road which I had to scramble across.
Plan was to run back to my hotel but instead after using the facilities in Atlantis (looking a right sight, covered in mud and grass stains!) I bailed and took a taxi back.
Dubai definitely isn’t built for runners.
Andrew
Hello crack! You have plans to analyze the S630H Amis? Looks very interesting quality / price.
I don’t at the moment, but I’ll be keeping an eye on it. I explain a little bit more on the Bryton products in this post: link to dcrainmaker.com
I was there in April and planned to run the palm as well but I got discouraged by the heavy traffic and by how the place didn’t seem very pedestrian/runner friendly.
Now I’m jealous!
Just totally cool :)
Running through the Atlantis tunnel is risky due to (i) the vehicular traffic and (ii) the high levels of carbon monoxide that apparently pool at the bottom of the tunnel. But if you get a cab or take the monorail out onto the breakwater there is plenty of pavement for safe running with great views of the city and the sea.
Hey Ray,
I am headed to Dubai in end of Jan did you get a chance to do any cycling? If do do you have any recommendations? Is finding a decent road bike to rent possible or am I better off taking mine?
Not this trip, but, if you’ve got the time – this is the place to do it: link to dcrainmaker.com
Seriously, it’s awesome – and I believe every week (and rentals are easy).
Im not sure if dubai was a one off trip or if you go often. Next time you should check this place outhttp://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g295424-d5994038-Reviews-Al_Qudra_Cycle_Path-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html dedicated to cycling. I think there are 5 paths of various lengths (from 8 to 60km) close to 100km if you do them all. And the whole think is out in the sand dunes. I just got back from dubai and a friend told me it is cool. I plan on doing it next time i go. You can rent road bikes from the treck shop.
Just to set aside some misconceptions. There are loads of safe places to run and ride and swim in Dubai. There are several running, cycling and Tri clubs here. Loads of friendly welcoming folk who will happily welcome you to this vibrant city. The weather here is perfect for training for at least 8 months of the year. Please don’t be put off by well meaning souls who need to do a little homework before setting out. As for running/cycling to Atlantis, I’ve never run through the tunnel as I don’t run, but have cycled several times. No problems cycling through, it’s a bit loud but I didn’t feel unsafe. And with regard to elevation readings on Garmin devices, some of the underpasses on The Palm are very likely below sea level.
I don’t think anyone has said anything bad about running in Dubai. I’ve swim/bike/run many times in the city, all without issue. Like any other city, there are good places to run and bad places to run.
I didn’t do underpasses, only overpasses. ;)