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.
-
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 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.
I come if I win the LOTTO before then… Looks like fun!
Wish I could be there. Good luck Ray and “The Girl”! I know it will be a blast!
Looks good Ray, I’d love to come up from Toulouse but it’s just not possible from a work/family/Christmas shopping perspective!!
Perhaps I could could send some local cheese/wine in my place?
Really cool you’re opening up to your readers like that.
Sounds good, I should be able to make it on Saturday, not Sunday though as I’ll be racing in Thiais the week before and in Houilles after Christmas. Tried to sign up but I can’t see a way to submit the form? EDIT – Ah ok, there is a hidden scroll bar ;-)
I like Bobby’s working boots.
No risk – no fun!
I would so like to come, but I was in Paris just last weekend. I did get to visit the current cup cakery, and can see why you need a new location – lovely but far too small where it is.
One of the few days I actually work! Soon though, I need to coordinate a time to come up and visit you and Bobbie!!
Love that Parisian races don’t start too early. Why should one have to choose between a good race and a good night out before.
Typical…. Checking my diary I’m in Paris for 10 days but leaving on the 10th! Ho hum….
As per usual I will be making my regular ‘run nutrition’ stops at the cupcake ry so won’t be missing out!
Would love to come, but I’ll be driving down to the Alps for skiing on Dec 13th :))
I thought everyone in Europe meticulously removed, de-grouted, and repurposed every 100+ year old brick when doing a renovation?
That looks like some good ol’ ‘merican (or Canadian) sledge-hammerin’.
Ray, are you able to provide any cheap but decent places to crash in Paris for this weekend? I’d love to travel there with my second/better half for this weekend since there are some nice cheap flights from Poland.
As odd as it may seem, I don’t actually know the hotel scene very much unfortunately.
That said – your best bet is Airbnb.com, which you can find lots of options, especially for that time of year since it’s just barely ahead of the holidays. The city is so easy to get around on Metro, so anywhere is good.
In searching for that weekend for Paris, and checking the ‘Whole place’ checkbox (which means you aren’t sharing with the owners, it’s all yours like a hotel), then I’m seeing many options below $100US (70EUR), with a number in the $80ish range (50-60EUR). All of which are relatively close. Also a ton of option just about $100US, some of them rather impressive.
The closest options would be the ones that say they’re in the 5th, but anywhere in central Paris is close.
Would be great to have you make it!
Thanks Ray! I hope we will make it! Cheers :)
Have you considered hostals? Some friends recently stayed in a St. Christophers Inn (Gare du Nord) and as a safe place to sleep & leave stuff if was O.K. €30ish from memory.
You’re spoilt for choice on Airbnb in Paris. We had a great time here this summer: link to airbnb.de
It’s an old charming house, quiet, but right in the Quartier Latin, bakery just across the street, metro 2 minutes walk, and you can be on one of Ray’s favourite long run courses along the Sene in about 500 meters…
Cupcakery moving or adding a 2nd location?
A secondary location…of sorts.
HI Ray, I’ve been a regular reader of your adventures (sport, technology, travels and… cupcakes) for quite some time and I’d be very happy to come and say hi!
Cheers Bertrand
Awesome – looking forward to having you stop in!
My (8yo) kid will be running the course earlier in the morning (yeah they make the young kinds running at 9 and adults at 10 :)) and we will be cheer you up guys after !
looks like I need to look at booking some ICE train tickets from germany that weekend for me and my girl then. I guess if worse comes to worse it’s only a 5 hour drive from us. but i really would prefer not to drive the train’s only 2.5 hours.
Isn’t it “Santa Claus”? :)
Maybe…
I am just moving Paris to Antibes in the 1st week of December :( :( :(
Noooooo!
I’ve never had a desire to travel to Paris, until now…best wishes on your unveiling…wish I could be there!
Going to miss the opening by a week. We leave Paris on the 2nd.
Woohoo! I’ll finally get to see you personally. Thanks Ray.
Love the en suite bathroom – or is that your new office chair!
Wish I could be there. Good luck Ray and “The Girl”! I know it will be a blast! Love that Parisian races don’t start too early. Why should one have to choose between a good race and a good night out before? I would so like to come, but I was in Paris just last weekend. I did get to visit the current cupcakery and can see why you need a new location – lovely but far too small where it is.