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.
A 15 mile or 20 mile trail run today in shorts and t-shirt. Unusual weather for the Front Range of CO in Feb.
No training or race plans for V-Day; instead, daddy duties for my daughter’s 8&U swim meet. She’s doing her first 100 IM!
Yesterday: 30 miles Vr ride on Elite Realtour. Today a 2hour run with my dog (really slow pace), chopping some wood in the evening, and tomorrow another 30 miles on the turbo. The Missus keeps changing the water bottles anf yelling at me if I slow down on the slopes. :)
A little post dinner jog with the girlfriend to break in our new trainers.
Easy run today with the lost Dutchman Half Marathon tomorrow
too cold + valentine’s day = no training plans
Spend about an hr on Sprint/cadence drills then some Hangboard training for an upcoming climbing trip
Headed somewhere warm to do a half marathon this weekend!
light hiking to a wine cellar for my home made wine:)
one hour of swimming with my wife
Two hours of intervals on the trainer for me, kick boxing and spin class for the lovely lady! Then fire up the grill for well-deserved steaks and baked potatoes.
15 mile trail run in the marin headlands!
50min bike & legs weights
Run 1 hour
Easy 10k run after a long pause…
35 mile bike ride is on tap…
No training for me, the weather sucks! Tomorrow though, 5K easy run
Go for a 4 mile run with my wife and baby M!
Test 10K
20 fat bike ride in the snow.
Day off. Recovering from Strep
An easy ride and some time sent in the gym.
I had my ortho visit yesterday and he says these pills are working on my tibial nerve. My girl is lazy and she’s in Germany so she can’t train with me but I can’t train either… however, the orthopaedist said I can resume in March. :-)
Running with our dog on snow covered trails for me and my wife will be cycling with us.
Floorball game, won 4-1!
4 mile treadmill run….it is cold here!
We’re both headed out together for a run this morning.
Trainer Road indoor trainer session “Mount Aleyska”, week 2 sustained power build program.
11 outside – nice sold run
About 10 miles of hills by Boeing for the long run of the week. Then some dark chocolate and something red to drink. Thinking of ordering the Isle of Man kitchen sink for a “surprise” lol. Yup, we read you. ;-)
Speedy dash around Bristol downs
Soft trail running on a saturday morning winter !
26km, 750hm trail run through snow. Prep for Marathon. Afterwards a relaxing afternoon with Pool and Sauna :-)
Easy day with 6.6 km at 5 min pace, then 36 min on the bike w 2×10′ i2, just recovering and taking it easy after a 173 km ultra marathon race last weekend, feeling great.
Long walk in one of Madrid’s forest. We will do about 10km
No Valentine’s workout for me – got a cold. Have to be satisfied with my two treadmill sessions during my ski vacation this week. Maybe I’ll take an easy bike ride tomorrow.
6k easy morning run followed by some core exercises.
Snowshoeing here in Quebec
Cross-country skiing near whistler (the 2010 Olympic venue)
Valentine’s day is technically a rest day for me (training for my first half marathon!), so I decided to take a walk to the local farmers market for a recover walk.
Unfortunately I have to work while my team is out riding in unseasonably warm conditions so I am going to be enjoying (not) the trainer once again in the wee hours after my sweetheart has been looked after apropriately!
Just finished a 10 miler near the Raleigh-Durham airport, 6 hrs before my brothers wedding. (Happened to start a 12 week Half-Marathon build this week also)
Hour spin on the love of my life…my bike trainer =)
Yoga for the wife, tumble tots for the little one and 14 mile trail run for the dog and I. Love all the way around!!!
Side by side on gym treadmills for 60 min.
Andy F.
Full schedule today so it was an early morning run for me today, watching the sun rise and getting a perfect start for the day!
Today was Strength Training day so 7AM we were at the gym. Boyfriend is a trooper.
Today I ran 33,1km, and I really enjoyed it. The weather was nice, a bit cold but the first Spring sun was lovely. After training I bought my girlfriend a nice Valentine’s present, so I think everybody was pleased! I am training for the Rotterdam Marathon, in april, so I can use a good watch with GPS and heart rate monitoring!
An easy 8 mile run around the golf course.
5 miles for me and then two walks (morning and evening) with the dogs and the better half.
no training today, but would be nice to win :)
Spending the day skiing and wishing for more snow.
We’ll be doing a 5k run in our neighborhood followed by a 40 mile bike out to Las Vegas’ Red Rock national park where we will climb to the top of the Red Rock loop and watch the sun go down over the valley. Cheese, crackers, some vegetables and sports drink for a nice romantic dinner and i’m the lucky one who gets to tote the insulated pack with food and ice in it.
Ahhh romance :)
Riding my bicycle from San Francisco to Sacramento to see the lady
Taking nice bike ride through forest with my lovely wife.
Just run around the block until I drop
I’m at a conference this week so my plan for today is a half hour interval workout on the hotel treadmill between sessions.
Just came down my Tacx Vortex Smart riding the Ironman Mallorca 70.3 track.
Very cold and windy 8 mile run this morning for me.
Walking 5 miles to our favorite German beer place.
On the shelf Sick!! Inside recovering one more day before ending a week long break.
I work at a restaurant and always have to work long 10-12 hour shifts on Valentinea Day. I plan on putting the rubber to the road first thing in the morning with an easy pace to get my blood moving and help release a bit of prework stress.
Finishing up couch to 5k training as a couple!!!!!!!!!
Hiking in San Antonio Ranch with the lady.
Core workout today, hopefully a ride on the rollers if I have time.
just 5k walk today :)
400m x 2 Strides……to local shop and back (to purchase food for romantic dinner).
Broke in my Valentine’s day gift. A new bike trainer. One hour easy test ride
I am fat, about 60 pounds overweight. I came across your blog a few months ago in search of a detailed review of activity watches. After reading all of your reviews I wanted something with accurate heart rate. Thanks to you I finally decided on the Polar M400 w/ heart rate band. Now my workout entry for today Valentines Day, I just completed the Plyo Cardio workout from the Insanity dvd set!
Thanks for a terrific blo!
A regular, endurance ride of 100 km for me.
A 5 km run for the partner, who just (a couple of weeks ago) started running again (after a long period of “couch surfing”).
40 Mile bike
I did a Tabata training session followed by weight and rope circuit and finished the day off with a run… Happy valentines! Now I can eat my cinnamon buns
Run yesterday a half marathon in Ras Al Khaimah, aimed for sub-90. I did 1:30:03 gross, 1:29:49 net :)
A hike for us- having summer weather this winter!
Just getting back into running after a year off injured, so Valentine’s day will consist of Zombies Run 5K week 6, day 1. And maybe even seeing my husband!
Quick 5K back into my baby’s arms.
An early morning 18k easy run for me and a 8k run for my girlfriend
Busy weekend. Swam Friday evening then took my significant other and running partner out to dinner. Indoor brick today, then Valentines Day dinner out with significant other and running partner at Accomack Inn. Tomorrow, run with significant other and running partner, prepare dinner and later take our granddaughter to a special showing of Frozen at ACCA Museum in Hershey PA. May indulge in some dark chocolate!
I’ve had the flu the last week. So no training for me today.
Had my son’s 5th birthday party today. Running about after 20 kids, throwing them into the ball pool was a work out in itself!!
I’ll be spending some intimate time with my bike this afternoon.
50 min brick and and a little TRX.
50 laps in the pool!
Lost Dutchman Marathon in the AM! My Nike+ watch has over 4,000 miles on it and is needing replaced!
Shoveling 3 feet of snow off the family room roof
10k in new PB :) 1,5min faster than ever before!
Soccer game in the morning and planning for a 10k soon!
Too cold here in DC for anything nice outside. So it’ll be all indoors. Spin, pump and lap swim. With well earned wine tonight. Nice giveaway op.
sunny 55km ride !
I plan to keep warm in this artic Alabama freeze.
Maybe go for a longish run (10) run.
5k on the treadmill I’m afraid. It’ll be dark a different cold when I get home from work.
30min fartlek in the wind and rain
Went for 12k wich were supposed to be easy pace, but rain and cold made it no so easy :)
A 7 mile snowy, hilly run to train for the Hyner Challenge.
I’m going to try and improve my time on a category HC climb in my area!
4,000 yard sunrise swim done!
No training for me. Trying to get over a cold. Back to it soon hopefully.
I run 29 km today on very icy paths in the royal park in Stockholm. Thank god for Ice Bugs. My husband usually runs as well but was sick today. He did welcome me home with a pancake brunch though. :)
About 10K around the zoo today with my wife and 3-year old. Should help with the half marathon training.
Sure, count me in! The new Garmin looks great!