Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple AirTag 4-Pack for just $69, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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 2024 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.
90 minutes on the bike followed by a 30 min run outside. Can’t beat the great weather in MN this time of year!
I cycled 138km in preparation for Ironman Cairns
I went for the first ride of the season (actually first ride since 4 month) it was brutal
2.5 hours on the trainer
An hour watching TV in the basement on the bike trainer, it is -12C outside.
Brick session based on Trainer Road threshold session + 15 mins run, and 1hr run.
Raced on Saturday (invigorating with a dose of humility), Easy recovery spin on Zwift London Classique route for Sunday.
Wow, what a week end…
I’ve done 2 ride on Zwift with one occur to be a Mountain Cat & Mouse with ODZ guys. And sunday, i’ve gone for the Pretzel with some of same guys from ODZ. That was a hilly stuff. And to be sure to be completly busted, i’ve ran 5k with my wife at -20 celcius!
Thx Ray!
I couldn’t cycle this weekend due my skuba dive training. Today on my city speedway maybe!
I did bricks this week-end. 5 times 8 min bike – 1,5 km run.
I hop to do this training with a power meter next time!
Did the first Time Trial of the year here in Colorado. Its called the Frostbite Time Trial. Cam in third out of three in my age group. We are 75. Good weather. Alittle breezy. Headwind of 13mph. Have a great day.
It was to windy here in Ft. Lauderdale this weekend to ride, so l put on the old running shoes and hit the pavement.
Pet my bike, tell it that it’s only a few weeks away until the weather is warm enough for me to ride outside again.
Mt. Tremblant on the computrainer. This was much warmer than my Half Marathon in 10F/-12C in Rhode Island on Sunday morning
Three hour spin class with complimentary “recovery beverage” thereafter!
I couldn’t ride last weekend. i’m sick so i had to stay in bed while i watch all the photos of the group riding.
Just a little ride on Zwift
Trying out a new bike!
A few bicep curls to get the bike onto the bike stand to clean the bike from my weekly commute clocking up 80-100 km a week.
Normally do 60 km on Sundays with the tri club.
“Blow, blow, thou winter wind…”
Two long days with 30mph of gusts and constant pain!
On Saturday I put in a two-hour ride on the trainer, completing three, 20 minute threshold intervals. Painful and mind taxing, but well worth the effort once completed.
I enjoyed a gravel grinder with friends on Saturday and an easy ride Sunday before longer days and harder training.
Thought about getting on the trainer but lay down until the feeling passed. Rest is important!
Out for my first road ride of the year through the Chilterns. Was painful, but you have to start somewhere.
Round and round the Zwift Island I went.
I did a crit race on Zwift cat (d) and was told to upgrade because I put in to much POWER.
I will do nothing training related
I got on the bike after a while, a 75 minute Kickr ride was a little tough!
On Saturday I spent the day skiing at Winter Park. On Sunday I went for a run with some mountain bike riders.
Easy 45 min recovery spin over the weekend. FTP Test Tomorrow.
First ride back after shoulder surgery!
Saturday saw my first ‘Summer Ride’ as I said goodbye to Zwift and hit the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds here in the UK for 25miles in the hills.
Up early on Saturday to get in a ftp test after Messing with the pedals to get them onto the right bike. Then a park run 5km dragging the brother in law around then 2 days of family engagements … oh the fun. Oh yeah plus no sleep because the baby likes to wake in the night on weekends.
Please let me win … I have no time so not having to swap the pedal over would be great!!!
Tried out my new Kickr Snap then succumbed to a hideous cold/flu – don’t think I’ll be doing an FTP test this week!
120k & 1800+ easy ride… X_X
Had a rather spirited 100 miler where a drunk driver that buzzed me claimed to be a cop and that we were “taking up the whole road” and “only going 15 miles an hour”. The cop that was at the gas station we stopped at to confront said driver said “uh… not on those bikes.” Wild morning.
Thanks, Ray!
Indoor stationary bike this weekend. Looking forward to getting outside this Spring!
Well as you may know near paris the weather is not playing nice so this weekend was spent on the trainer..
I’ve ridden for the first time after getting my first ever bike fit and as that’s been basically life changing I am now going to hop back onto the bike and pedal away :)
Would be great to win this.. friday evening I had a track training !
Road the trainer both days.
Practiced swim to bike transitions last weekend for a sprint tri next weekend.
30 km tempo ride.
Road my mtb with the wife and the longest bike ride of the year! Overall successful!
Recovery run, 90′
running around as it was too cold to ride.
I’m stuck doing my long ride this afternoon (Monday) due to poor planning and laziness. I’m going out for a 4 hour spin in the suburbs.
Grinding on the trainer!
Gave up on riding this weekend since temps were in the 20s and instead took my kids to the gym to work on strength training.
I rode 2.5 miles before my derailleur hanger snapped and took my chain with it :(
I rode 5k elevation in one long hill – ok, with a short breather in between – for the first time – it was an epic climb I’d been eye-ing for some time and I finally made it happen. Then looped down the other side for a 20-miler up and a total ride distance of 67 miles in gorgeous Colorado. I wished I’d had a power meter! Strava estimates power, but I don’t think it’s as accurate as the real deal. I’d love to track power as I’ve been upping my riding to 300 miles/month now, finally getting serious.
Cleaned out my belly button
Trail ride
Military training this weekend – but back on the bike today for a nice ride today!
30k on indoor bike, too cold to go outside. Lazy I know!
Didn’t get to ride but picked up my bike after having it tuned-up, does that count? :)
Cheers!
Just 1hour10min in the rollers (insideride – awesome btw). Busy with family committments…
No training session over the weekend in the end – got ill so I spent some quality time in bed.
Zwifted on Saturday, then went out to see the stage 1 finish of Paris-Nice. Not a great weekend weather wise.
Two short threshold workouts on zwift.
First proper ride in 4 weeks – somehow managing to squeeze between freezing rain showers, with a hint of sun. Just a shame about the hideous headwind!
Would love to add a power meter to my mountain bike.
Logged Sufferfest workouts on Saturday and Sunday. Still sore today!
My wife and I rode our tandem on the indoor trainer on Sunday. We did an hour together.
Usual Saturday morning laps of Regents Park. Hockey season (for my kids) means no cycling on Sunday.
1 hour trainer ride
I had my first road race of the season on Saturday. It did not go well :(
This weekend I just ran 7 km. No cycling for me.
Love to add a PM to my 2nd bike!
Riding a Santander bike over the week-end for my London commute as my road bike is in the shop for repairs :P
103km ride, did plan to rider further but cut ride short due to the heat
None – in between bikes.
I admired the many very dedicated cyclists in London while I visited and did no exercise of any kind.
1.5 spin class with my team…still too cold to get outside
Spent 3 hours on my new Wahoo KICKR – 2 hours messing around with the PC getting firmware upgraded and software working, 45 minutes playing around with settings, and 15 minutes actually riding the bike :-o
My plans this weekend were to ride. But ended up playing soccer and did not make the bike ride. But to make up today with a recovery ride.
Friday evening, gala of my girlfriend’s university, so saturday afternoon was spent dragging myself out of bed going for a fast ride towards the more hilly country side. Got over-excited due to strade bianchi en passed road works. Got bitten by karma 3 km later when I broke a spoke in my front wheel.
Sunday morning, I went on our regular 70km morning ride. In the afternoon, I helped a friend with knee pain by partnering up with him in a duathlon (where he previously had a solo participants registration). Waited for 12 minutes in lots of wind and terrible rain, only to break my mountainbike’s derailleur after 6 km…
I’ve done a two hour ride over the weekend
My cycling plans are to actually get on one of my bikes – either the one that has evolved into a clothes rack on the indoor trainer in the basement or the lonely, shivering fat bike in the garage. One or hopefully both will get some love and attention.
Planned to ride but it was so windy that I ran instead
100km with friends!
I’m doing a whole lot of nothing.
spent the weekend riding a horse and working on the farm, sadly, not on the bike.
Only cycled to the library and back – I have exams starting tomorrow.
3 hours on the trainer!
Mountain biking at Wilson Lake KS. Pretty much my first mountain biking in over a decade. Skinny tires will be collecting dust this year.
I rode on the trainer! 1:45 Saturday, :45 Sunday – Single leg drills and endurance work. Upstate NY weather is trouble sometimes!
I ran 5k on Saturday and did a spin class on Sunday.
Unfortunately no cycling for me as I’m in the military and on deployment! Plenty of running and S+C though.
A few laps on Watopia and test the new Volcano climb.
Ran up a mountain and then back down the other side cleaning up the course. Best game of capture the flag ever.
I took a short ride outside in the (almost) spring weather, then a one hour grind on the trainer.
A lovely 90 min ride on my trainer in my basement. At least I caught up on some TV shows
Brick session bike was hard in wind and rain. 60 miles varying terrain. Came back wondering why do I do this to myself. Then the thought of challenge roth in the summer makes it all worth while.
Friday: approx 1h skill trainng on cx bike, just pure fun
Saturday: 2-2.5h aerobic endurance road ride
Sunday: Car drive to closest mountain (150m elevation), and some climbing training, approh 1.5-2h
Cycling weekend started with a new BB install and headset rebuild, followed by a quick hour of hill climbing to test out the new bits.
3:30 on the trainer while watching European soccer.
xc mtb racing… in the mud and lack of sun in seattle
40mi @ 90% FTP
Sorry, was lying on a beach, getting away from the snow back home.