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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.
Meetings and travel consumed my weekend training time. Back at it this morning. Scary!
MTB on the local trails!
Long distance run with some speed for an upcoming race.
Easy ride to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage.
Ride as much gravel as I can find!
Bike, Bike, Bike, play with the dog!
Finally we have some windy days in forecasts, so windsurfing is on my list. In case forecasts fail I have bike as the second option – here weather doesn’t metter :)
I ran a half marathon yesterday!
Backpacking through the North Cascades!
Vo2max intervals on my trainer and a short run trying to get my body used to running again.
We enjoyed an evening out while our toddler enjoyed a sleepover party with his grandparents. On Sunday I went for a recovery-ride on my bike.
Hitting the weight room, and doing some single leg work on the trainer.
Cycle until gopro battery runs out…. Unless I get a GoPro Hero5, where battery can be swapped, than I am in real trouble!
Run Run and Run a little more.
First long ride on the trainer.
Maybe a dawn patrol ride Saturday. Otherwise, I’m working the whole 46 hours starting 9am Saturday!
An autumnal run through the forest but only during the day! Too spooky when it gets dark!!
Getting my cyclocross bike functional again after a muddy day at Alpenrose prematurely killed it.
Hiking with my family
50k training. 24 and 10 mIles Sat. & Sun. respectively to wrap up a 56 mile week.
Hero!
Hopefully some Trainerroad workouts on the Kickr!
Run, bike, trx, yoga….rest….repeat
Long rides in the mountains and end a brewery.
Bike and Running
I think I’m going to stick to whatever physical therapists have on the docket this weekend, though we do have a long hike at around 10,000 feet planned for Saturday!
Run through Wrigleyville!
Brick workout around Disney
I’ll go for a 70 km ride by the Swedish countryside!
Swim, bike, run if the weather will allow it
Volunteering at Ironman FL as a draft marshall on the bike and race pointer on the run
Bike maintenance!
My girlfriend would love to not have to buy a GoPro for me for Christmas
Recovering after 114K ultra-trail that I ran last Saturday. Need GoPro for my next adventure :)
A candy corn eating race…..Should be awful
Being sick :-)
5km swim in two sessions
Thanks Ray (Y)
Introduced my daughter to her first ever junior parkrun.
Recovering from an elbow trauma.. :(
I will be huddled in a corner, biting my nails, waiting to see if I win the GoPro. Thanks.
Swim at the pool
only 2 swims this week because of injury.
Tomorrow a trail running in Baone near Padova, Italy
Working all weekend and I won’t be getting a workout in but will be running back and forth at work and hitting my step goals.
Silverbell Century in Tucson, AZ
Went for a 5 mile trail run along Rathbun Lake.
25M bike ride
Running and some climbing!
long run with interval. Ring workout
A tidy 6mile run on the greenway next to my neighborhood.
Go for a nice ride and run!!
Run, Bike and Weight Training!
Possibly mountain biking if its not too cold.
Recover from a recovery week by ramping back up with some intensity and volume on the bike.
Cheese fondue, beers & oignon soup, as currently on my Winter break, stocking what Summer rides will burn.
10K run and a trainer session
This weekend was the Run of The Dead Elimination Run
Enjoy the warm fall weather we have been having and get on the bikes with my husband!
20km MTB trail through the woods in my back yard. Let’s film it next time :-)
Swim instruction with a new coach, followed by time on both the trainer and indoor track. Would much rather be outside, but Canadian winters come early!
Run run and run
Bootcamp on Saturday morning at 6:30am then Trail Run 10K in afternoon. Sunday Trail Run 7 miles finally beer and rest:)
Interval runs after 1 and 3 year old children.
Raced Ironman 70.3 Austin.
Running Saturday & Sunday.
Not a huge amount! Need to change that though!
Some zwift cycling
Ran a half marathon this weekend: started at 2am, finished at 2:37. HOW IS THAT EVEN POSSIBLE? :-D
Doing my first FTP test(s)…
Have one more week of time off after my Half Iron, then it will be time to get back into it.
Friday is a rest day
Sat some light cycling and, some archery and Resistance/Weights work
Sunday – day of field archery, maybe more resistance work if time/energy permits
No room for a run though.
After calf insure first 6km run.
120km bike ride with a short brick. Typical off season training!
6 days to NY marathon!
Just doing a gentle jog this weekend.
Get up in the hills for some fall running amoungst the colourful trees ?
Dont get injured! PD: LIKE ME :(
Going for a run, and then off to lift some plywood for some home improvement work.
2 weeks until first marathon so 6-7 mile run.
Doing brick training to get fit for the Houston marathon in Jan 15/2017
I’ll be walking ask over Disney world
Go for a nice training ride in the hills of Scotland.
Took dog for run on some local single-track and watched the World Series.
Rest on Saturday and a long 21k run on Sunday morning
Last leg of the Quebec CX season!
Swim, swam, swum!
5k parkrun Saturday, run or cycle for as long as I can get away with to avoid DIY Sunday
Lift weights & bike on Saturday. Run on Sunday.
Two 2hr bike rides followed by 30 minute recovery runs
Hey Ray, it will be at least a 15km run for me & Tennis in Paris for Djoko and Murray!
running in the mountains
Run and run a bit more
Recovering after a hot Marine Corps Marathon by sherpa’ing for a friend running NYC marathon.
I’m working so it will be hope the weather on Friday is ok for a good ride, and then some easy run home commutes.
Back on the trainer again.
A blessed rest block because my legs and mind are trashed, and my motorcycle misses me!
Did some great trail running and looking at the awesome fall leaves!!
MTB and trail… what else ?!?
An easy run on Saturday and a longer, faster run on Sunday
Out on the road bike (careful not to slip on the autumn leaves) + a bit of C2 indoor rowing
mountain bike training :)