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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.
Cracking write up, gave me a good giggle, thanks! :)
What a view! That part of Paris is just beautiful.
Some of us would have had to measure our speed this year with the Christmas tree versus last year. Probably tried to improve the the aero package of the tree :-) Have a very Merry Christmas.
I wonder where they put my lock from the bridge ;-{(. Happy Holidays.
Saw on article on that: they removed 65 metric tons of lockers from the bridges and will do a charity sale of the brass in January. They expect to raise 100k€ For the refugees
Where’s your helmet, young man?!?!?
Peanut’s first Christmas… special times! :)
Where is your helmet?????? For goodness sake!!!!! :)
Man that view out of your window is amazing. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Getting the bike into the basket?! Would love to see you do that!
Now this is something I’d call extravaganza…
Clearly the peanut was documenting this trip. Was that from the basket of another Velib? She certainly will have a beautiful first Christmas!
Beautiful pics and a great tradition. Merry xmas to you guys!
Excellent! :)
Awesome! We’ve brought our Christmas tree home by bike and/or bike trailer the last couple of years, and it works great. Of course, it looks even better with a Parisian backdrop! Good inspiration for more bike use, especially in urban areas! Thanks for the happy post, and merry Christmas!
Not to debate whether it’s right or wrong, but a Parisian wearing a bicycle helmet would be like you wearing a helmet driving your car because you see the NASCAR drivers wearing them.
C’est la vie.
I really love these posts and your blog in general – thanks for sharing with everyone. I hope you and your family have an absolutely amazing Christmas.
What an amaxzing view from your window….
I remember each of those Christmas tree posts, did the rest of the family also rode Vélibs to shoot the photos?
I’ve always been scared to ride the bike with a baby carrier.
The last photo with the tree and Notre Dame is just awesome.
Nah, we aren’t quite comfortable yet taking the little one on the Velib.
It’s so fun to look at your photos seeing many of the spots we walked on our vacation and seeing the bikes … however is the cupcake shop in holiday trim? have a wonderful holiday.
I just love those little stories. Makes me smile, seeing you every year before christmas riding around paris with a christmas tree.
Have a nice time with your little family!
Was this all self-filmed using the DJI Mavic? :)
I must point out that you seem to have your traditional instruments mixed up. I would think that the noise of christmas tree needles falling onto the floor would be more akin to the noise of a rainstick than a didgeridoo, and more in-line with your general online handle too!
Awesome — put a smile on my face :-). Joyeux Noel!!
Standard Operation here in Denmark. Christmas trees are the least of it. Have even heard of people moving house by bike. :-)
Either you’re testing some top-secret drone with an amazing follow-me mode*, or did you have The (poor) Girl and the little one running all over the place getting pre-positioned for all those shots, while you just took a nice leisurely ride with a Christmas tree slung over your shoulder?
*That said, I guess many of the drones already on the market have an in-built attraction to trees.
Cool pics of you cycling with the tree, definitely the sort of shot you and your family will reminisc about ina few decades time. And what a view from the window, amazing.
yes, who/what took those follow photos?
The Girl & The Peanut, via DSLR. Regrettably, drones are not permitted inside Paris city limits.
These pictures are absolutely fantastic. I don’t comment often, but just love these images. My wife and I have a six month old son and we are in awe of your dedication to the blog, Bertie’s bakery, and your incredible family. Cheers from VT.
Great story, Ray.
No helmet?
Happy Holidays to you and yours.