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.
60 mile ride Saturday before work, 12 mile run Sunday am, 1.5 hours Ultimate Sunday pm
It’s Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, so training plans consist of carb-loading and some long walks with family.
Ran the Army Ten Miler. Not at race pace though given the Marine Corps now in less than 2 weeks.
Heading out for a long trail run before going to the zoo!
Took a break from running/biking for hiking in Yosemite.
12 mile steady-state run Saturday, 40 mile hilly ride Sunday.
This weekend I volunteered for a Collegiate MTB race, so didn’t have a ton of time, but got in a ridea to/from on Saturday, and a trail race (10k) after on Sunday. I also went swimming recreational. Next weekend is volunteering for an ultra, and long ride on Sunday. I’ll be taking a bit off of running for a shin issue.
Couple loops of Betasso with a big push on Benjamin.
Ran a 10 mile tempo on Sunday Morning. 90 min easy Bike on Tuesday. 1 hr Swim on Wed.
Crushing miles of single track
10k trail run with my wife. Then a short 30 k cycle to pick up our vehicle. Out in the fall air with the leaves changing colour. Beautiful British Columbia it is!
Looking for the next level of bike computer.
Ice Cream, Apple Pie and a couple of hill repeat rides
did a zwift ride
Was on sunday on my regular badminton training by bike (40km total).
A mix of running and cycling…unfortunately, both were indoors :-(
Was visiting the Grand Canyon and currently injured, so just some light hiking.
long bike, long run.
Watch Kona !
Ended up doing a few interval runs (tough as hell) and some strength work on the yoga mat (with squishy legs from the runs) ;)
doing a nice ride with the gf and then a short run
ran 11miles on Saturday + 4 miles on Sunday
Having just spent three days walking in the French Alps I have realised I need to get out on the bike more and get fitter.
Pre-ran my marathon race route. 26.2M warm=up, 3 weeks ahead of race day.
30 mile bike ride
Planning on a 10 mile ride along the lake.
Sat: brick S-R, recover watching Kona
Sun: weights, kettlebells, and therabands; xtra cardio: mowing lawn
I rode 143 miles outside and loved every minute of it.
I have a race pace 8 miler planned, getting race ready for my 10 miler in 2 weeks.
long run Sat AM (in DC!). Recovery from previous night’s wedding Sunday
Saturday will be a 50 + miles Sunday will be a 20 mile donut & coffee ride with my wife.
Hawk Mountain Team TT – 40 miles, with a mountain in the middle.
I’m in holidays at Mallorca and enjoying the off season. Flight on Saturday, regeneration run on Sunday.
Pick me, Pick me! I mountain biked this weekend and had fun doin’ it.
This week is the start of cooler weather here in Florida and that means I can finally get back to alternating riding and running everyday with a long ride and run this weekend.
18K running + 10K walk
Climbing Farellones mountain and some running after that.
Thanks Ray!
Record High Temps on Sunday lead to a easy 28 mile ride enjoying the fall colors, followed up by coaching my first grader’s soccer team.
i was drunk this weekend
Going for a run.
It was all a bust after I picked up a cold Friday.
70-75km ride with my friends at the club :) trying to get the last rides before winter.
No proper training at all this past weekend as I was busy almost every moment – helping run an amateur theatre (dismantling previous set and building the next one), putting on a murder mystery show, taking part in a treasure hunt, and doing all the boring household chores! :(
At least I was active all weekend, so I guess that kinda counts… ;)
Long run on Sunday and short Swim on Monday.
1x 36 mile CX Ride and 1x 35 mile MTB ride through the spectacular trails of Germany! Time to rest.
Couple of quick bike rides, maybe 20 miles each.
10 mile run Saturday, 30 miles on the bike Sunday
Short MTB ride on Sunday.
my first Brevet 200K in 8hr
next day COMPLETELY AWESOME
NO FATigue at all
I did an awesome sunny interval run in de French Alpes.
with rainy weather, mainly running and maybe a short bike segment.
Did 2x 10k run and 36k bike interval training
a short run only this weekend
70km with a easy climbs
Just a walk in the park.
OMG almost missed this! Sunday went for a semi-casual 10 miler on the bike.
No more using my 920xt as my sole bike computer!
Road Hilly Hundred in Indiana–it was amazing–I’d highly recommend it to anyone.
Coached my daughter’s High School MTB team and watched her win her race. Rode a recovery ride with the team this morning.
Run Long Beach Marathon
Taper ride on Saturday… rest day Sunday.
I had a massive amount of random Training this week! Friday I did some Hill Sprints in the morning, Backpacked 12.5 Miles on the Cumberland Trail by Saturday afternoon, went Contra Dancing in the Evening, and then did a nice scenic picture hike Sunday Morning!
Oh, I also Got engaged to the most lovely Girl in my world on Sunday! Great Weekend!
A couple of rides, trying to get to 1000 miles for the year
Long endurance ride on Saturday and Learn to Race women’s clinic on Sunday.
Did a short 5 mile hike. Still recovering from marathon the prior weekend.
Usually a 5-10K run on Saturday and a 40-60K MTB ride on Sunday.
I have a week off and will take my mtb from the north of Germany to the Alps.
A ride in the Tour de Pig with my Dad. After several days/weeks of rain we were very much looking forward to it.
I spent it anxiously hoping my foot would get better so I could go out running. It didn’t, so I went for a 70K ride instead.
Track session and some bike build. 2×20’s and 6×8′
Saturday a long road bike ride, sunday walk in the mountains!
5K run on Saturday and an early swim session on Sunday :-)
I’m doing my last bike rides of the season this month because winter is coming here in Canada. Knowing it will soon be over, I’m enjoying and pushing as hard as possible every ride.
First cross race ever on Saturday: Charm City Cross. Started, finished, and did not finish last. Achievement unlocked!
I am doing the beach thing too
My husband will tell my what workout to do, just like he told me to leave a comment here. Oh I love him so! :)
90 min bike ride (getting used to a Tri bike) and an easy swim!
Id to randomly win!
A +50 miles/+6,500 feet MTB survivor race in Puerto Rico… Still hurt from it :(
Hahahaha… training this weekend. I’ve got my kids AND it’s Canadian Thanksgiving. Plus it was a predicted monsoon.
So the training will be this week. 50km ride tonight, and again Wednesday. Runs and the gym Tuesday and Thursday. Would love a power meter!.
90km ride saturday
Van Cortland Cross Country Race this past Sunday.
90 minute trail run, 90 minute cyclocross, 2 hours of swimming (3 sessions)
My Training was a Halfmarathon with an injured leg. Now it is time to recover
Presently injured, so training is limited to emptying the contents of wallet on to the reception desk of my friendly neighbourhood physio every other day…
Watching the Chicago marathon. Mostly just walking between points and trying to get photographs.
Looooong ride. Loveit!!
Lots of walking around Chattanooga with the kids!
35 km run
Watching Chicago marathon and walking for food.
Reims (France) Half Marathon raced this week-end
Pacing my buddy to his first sub 3:30 marathon at the Yorkshire Marathon (in York) …pacing first half at 7:30’s for the first half of the mara will make me ‘detonate’ later on, but hey!)…in fact, I already did this and it worked out exactly as planned. link to strava.com . Buddy in question got 3:24!
My training currently consists of me removing gigantic oleander plants from my back yard. Until that is done… no fun rides for me.
10 miles test run for a half marathon!
Training plans are always go hard but leave enough in the tank to get up the big hill to my house!
I made a long ride near the Adriatic Sea with my team have traveled the route of Ironman 70.2 Pescara
and ‘ it was great we are waiting all for the next edition!!!!!!!
sat morning run, Sunday coaching my Under7’s rugby union team in their 2nd Game
Monday back on it
A slow, lazy ride with my wife on Saturday. And an equally slow, but more painful, run on Sunday. The All Blacks result overnight will determine the mood of the Sunday run.
Monday:30min recovery run. Strength Train
Tuesday:10 min warmup,4 min tempo 1 min recovery x3, 5 min cool down
Wednesday: 10 min warmup, 10 min interval, 10 min cool down. Strength Train
Thursday: off
Friday:30 min easy run. Strength Train
Saturday: 60-75 min long run
Sunday:off
Friday evening: SWIM SESSION (1600m working on rhythm with Tempo Trainer) + followed by 30min HILL RUNNING INTERVALS on a treadmill
Saturday: Rest day + 9 hours MOTIVATIONAL SESSION (watching Ironman World Championship in Kona :-))
Sunday: morning THRESHOLD TEST on the bike + evening SWIM CSS SESSION (1800m working on pacing with Tempo Trainer)
IT WAS AWESOME!!! :-)