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…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Short 3 mile run with the kiddos and dog then a bike ride.
30km run plus a 50km ride and lots of ham and maybe turkey (thanksgiving in Canada) :)
Saturday – Bike Trip, Sunday – Long Run
Going to go for a 100k cycle
Two cyclocross races, Charm City Cx on Sat and Sun.
After 200Km of commuting this week, a brisk metric century around the North Shore hills around Montreal. This morning it was 5C.
No races or specific training this weekend as it is thanksgiving in Canada. I get to spend a great weekend with the family on vacation!
Racing the Dam Tri in South Carolina, thanks Ray!
Long easy Ride and maybe an open water swim (brrrrrrrr)
Getting my bum back on the saddle after 6 month after being diagnosed with ms. Bring it on!
Back on the road after Twin Cities Marathon last week, plus a little 50 mile bike ride!!
With the forecast looking grim this week-end I’ll happy to get away with a dry 2-3 hours ride. But I’ll make sure to smash it if I get that chance.
100km club ride through NE Scotland.
A big ride with the beautiful fall landscape of Quebec
Oh yes this would be a great addition to my Trek.
I’m on my way to be re-hospitalized for a blood clot. Training=none. :(
This weekend I have a mountain bike 100k marathon in the menu. I could definitely use one of those!
Saturday 4 hour fatbike ride, Zone 2
Sunday 2h e-bike recovery ride.
Tapering for IMMD 2.0. 30 miles on the bike Saturday; 30 minute run Sunday
Low zone winter spin, 100km.
Planning a 100k loop out through livermore, over altamont (toward tracy), along the via duct, back over Corral Hollow road, and home…
Hit the local hill loop tomorrow, once I’m let out (DIY orders) – hopefully – and Sunday tandem to the club hill climb to watch (I know my limits and HCs really are not attractive to do, for me)
Climb local 80m hill 10 times in a row on saturday (road), followed by easy 50km MTB on sunday!
No workout for me. I’ll be Spectating Ironman Lousiville! My wife is racing!
Racing a Sprint Tri on Saturday.
Post-fever recovery ride, perhaps.
Sunday 80 k bike ride with small group of friends.
17-miler marathon training run
40 km time trial and then rest! Last ride before Challenge Mallorca Paguera.
Turbo tonight in the lounge because the husband is at work and I’ve got to work all weekend but will go for a little run tomorrow first thing ?
Long slow run Saturday
Looking forward to a long interval bike workout and long run. Oh and of course a swim. You are like the real Santa Claus. Thank you!
Hopefully a nice ride on Sunday, but plans also include rearranging my bedroom and setting up a spot for my trainer and Zwift for the winter. Ride on!
Just back from a short ride on the TT bike, and Sunday I’ll go for a ~120km ride on the road bike.
Swimming Saturday morning, volunteer work then miles of walking to see Art Prize for Saturday. Sunday will be Michigan weather dependent.
2K OWS, trainer ride then a long run on sunday..
Probably some hiking!
Training for first CX season after a late Road biking season went well. And a 10k race in early November.
So this weekend sat 60min CX simulation and sunday a 3 to 4 mile tempo run.
Watching Kona coverage on the trainer Saturday, with some motocross testing on Sunday!
20k run!
50m Social Saturday followed by a 60m chain-gang on Sunday.
Training goal is to get 6K ft elevation gained :)
Early bird MTB training saturday and easy trail running and spectating a local CX race with my son on Sunday
Visiting DC. Going to go on a bike ride!
Putting in at least 60 miles on the bike this weekend if weather permits.
Crossfit Saturday morning and a long run Sunday! :)
1h Indoor Cycling on Sundy
50km MTB ride on Saturday
Long ride and long run …
Hitting the gym for some gains and maybe a 20 mile bike ride for some cardio.
Going out for a day-ride to the “Taunus” in beautiful Hessen – Germany on sunday.
Big club ride out on Sunday, maybe gym time in Saturday
A recovery ride and a 3hour group ride.
Mmmh cycling
There may be a short run somewhere, but the main event this weekend is a massage.
Running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in London with a nice recovery swim/cycle to keep it all ticking over.
I’ll be doing a few runs as part of my marathon training. A short run and a long run.
2 x long run. Preparing for half marathon.
Run forest run.. Long and hard run =0
No racing this weekend. I have a 10 mile training run planned for tomorrow.
60-80 km low temperature slipstream ride in the north of Germany
Yes!
a whole lot of climbing and enjoying the view with friends at the end of it
Heavy weights on Saturday and Sunday. Monday is Canadian Thanksgiving recovery run.
Mountain bike ride and trail maintenance Sat.
Surviving mother in law visit Sunday.
get out early sat morning ride up into the watching reservation in nj. And into the great swamp. Nj. Sun 10 am spin class at my local gym in springfield nj
I have a nice gravel ride with the boys on Saturday and then I am going to try and inflict massive suffering on the field during Sunday’s cyclocross race in Ottawa Canada.
Watching Kona live on laptop and mountain biking on sunday afternoon !
So cool ..
Long ride Sunday, ride Monday.
Probably gonna do some endurance riding with sweet spot intervals, while trying to accept that summer is over, it’s goddamn cold again and wind is trying to blow my head off.
1 hour ride Saturday evening. Then I’ll be doing the LBS group ride Sunday evening.
Nights!!! 2 x 12 hour bum work out with 60min rest intervals
who trains wins…..Snnnn
Mtb ride planned for tomorrow in Uppsala, Sweden. Y’all are welcome. :-)
Bike riding “Bohnental” with my brother
link to strava.com
If whatever permits hopefully a ride around Seattle. Otherwise some work on the trainer.
Easy spin on saturday and/or sunday.
Would love to CX, but still recovering from surgery.
I’m doing the Prairie Fire Marathon in Wichita KS on Sunday.
…something witty in case i win….
Mohawk Hudson Half Marathon. Hoping to be Sub 1:24:00
Plan on nice easy spin on the trainer Saturday before racing in Trek Cup CX on Sunday
Getting on some steep inclines after sitting on my butt for a few months now.
Training plan of the weekend: to put away the first ftp assessment of the season.
Begin working on next years training – an easy run today and an easy mountain bike ride on Saturday
Last hard training before IM 70.3 Turkey with Saturday 2.5km swim and a short brick of 1 hour biking and 1.5 hours running. Sunday a 3 hour bike back and forth over the Utrecht ridge back.
Racing a half in UK
Watching Wales v Australia in the rugby world cup on Saturday so I’ll be training for the drinking by having a few drinks tonight. Will also do a very short bike ride to test my injured knee plus a swim on Sunday.
Does watching the Ironman coverage count as training?
’tis Canadian Thanksgiving, the remains of the hurricane are going to be hitting hard, and my Honey-Do list is full. Rest :-)
25 mile gravel ride Sunday.
18km run on Saturday and 80km bike ride Sunday and then a well deserved Canadian Thanksgiving turkey Monday.
just done a 2 hr run in the hills. feet up for the rest of saturday. then on sunday easy swim in the am bike at lunch on the turbo while watching a little race going on in kona
4 hour CCW refresher class on Saturday. 45 or so miles easy on the road bike Sunday.
THis is a long weekend for my kids so we are going to Wisconsin Dells. Plan on some hiking, maybe a short trail ride. Resting in order to prepare for next weeks training.
11 mile training run Saturday for my first half marathon! (Ahead of my first half ironman)
Nice easy 6m… 8:45 pace. Saturday.
1 hour bike ride followed by 30-45 minute run.
After a month off with injury, some more cycling and a little bit of easy running.
I’ll be doing some heavy-duty fall mileage this weekend!
Six miles on Saturday and 13 on Sunday!