Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, 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.
On the rollers 2x this weekend, watching Amstel Gold
Getting out and running some trails in long-awaited spring temperatures in Alberta.
Busy weekend working. Stretched out my morning and evening commutes with a few extra miles.
Saturday ride was 62 miles and 6200ft of climbing. There is a half a mile kicker at the start of the climb that is over 20%. That really hurt. Sunday was an easier ride with 46 miles and 3300 feet of climbing.
I had a 10k race this weekend, with a finish time of 0:54:36.
b00m! gym workout SQUAATTSS!
Spamiity spam, spammitty spam.
Spam, egg, Spam, Spam, bacon and Spam
So for the last month, I have been out of the running scene due to an IT Band issue. This lead me to do even more biking to maintain some sort of fitness. So this past weekend I got a bit naughty and bought my first legit road bike (Specialized Allex E5), something basic and beginner for me. I also bought a Cycleops Magnus trainer so that I could try out the Zwift experience. Let’s just say I might be completely hooked on riding now. This weekend I did my first ever FTP test and even though I may only be at 135W right now I plan to subscribe to Zwift and start one of the FTP training programs to get better. I have also done recovery rides and a fun group ride for 20 miles. I do still miss running and plan to attempt my first run tonight with my group to see if I am healed. This giveaway could really help get me the gear/gadgets to help my cycling experience.
Short run and then lifted lots of mulch at work!
Ran 5k at the local park on Saturday. Then a lazy Sunday.
Spent some time in the pool!
Ran a random 13 miles in NYC.
A bootcamp class with EMOM’s from hell. And a surprise finisher that was close to being vomit inducing.
First run with Stryd.
On Saturday the Amstel Gold Race (200k) and Sunday a 1h20 progressive run.
Great weather in Phoenix over the weekend so I got a couple 3 milers in before it got too hot.
I had a nice 12mile ride on the trainer because we got 16 inches of Snow over the weekend. Spring weather would be a welcome change around here!
Hill repeats on a folding bike, in a jacket.
Rode 45-miles.
Finding new road routes. Moved late last year and need to find new rides.
Sarurday 75 km on bike and sunday fishing.
Went for my first run around my new neighborhood!!
I traveled to Poland to take part in the Poznań Halfmarathon. It was a hot and sunny day, I struggled to keep my planned race pace, but I’m just happy to have completed the run!
Hill workout Sunday after long run on Saturday.
Last longer taper run before the London marathon ?
5k run.
First run with Strava
Did a short 5 mile run and then some gardening. Does chasing rabbits and my dachshund count as well?
First ride of the season on the Chasseral. Still a lot of snow, but the cramps have been amply rewarded ;-)
Ride, ride, ride…loving the new bike. Okay, I got a run in too!
Trainer ride before losing power
Clearing c. 1000 square metres of scrub to comply with local wildfire management regs. I have awoken muscles in my arms from a 20 year slumber and they are not happy about it.
It would be very, very, very awesome to replace my old Garmin with the 935 or Fenix 5!
Done a 125k Sportive this weekend
Hi Ray,
80 minute gravel bike ride.
Cheers
2 hour and 3 hour trainer sessions during epic Minnesota April blizzard. Our version of the spring classics.
14hr roundtrip: Bike to a friend’s sailing boat nearby early morning, sail all day (bringing the bike), then bike back home in the evening.
Currently not doing much of athletic adventures due to injury, hope to be able to start picking up more athletic adventures starting in may!
Fasted 50 Mile cycle Saturday morning. Lean is mean…
Two trainer rides due to a spring ice storm, second ride of 1.5hr was cut short when the power went out
this was a ‘rest’ weekend in vegas! Only training was 20,000 daily steps
Triathlon (bike, xc-skiing and sauna).
100k on the road in spring weather, 40k in the woods, it’s getting green :D
Last weekend I made a short walk with my girl out in the fields. She had to clear her head after she received the news that her grandfather had passed away.
Over the course of the weekend I spent a little over 3 hours Zwifting (I climbed Alpe du Zwift) and about an hour running. The weather was pretty crumby here in Kentucky.
Recovery 40 mile bike ride due to meniscus injury :(
Well the most athletic has to be the sunday swim with the kids – managed 2500m before i went from swimming to bathing and jumping with them ;-)
But more important i finally got my road bike down from the wall. It got a thorough clean and even new batteries in the garmin cadence and speed sensors – Ready for a new season outdoors.
But today just when i was ready to head out it starting pouring down – so another day on zwift enstead. We got 17mm of rain in an hour and a half. Would have been a miserable ride outdoors
Still working on training my glutes to work they’re supposed to when I run. Getting a little better/stronger every time.
MTB on Friday night, 15 miles, saw two snapper turtles. Hilly 32 mile road ride on Saturday, finding new routes in the warm weather.
70 mile ride followed by a quick 30 min run. I was toast at the end.
Tapering for an upcoming race by getting lost on some local running trails.
I finally got back out running after an injury
Did a hour swim with drills and tempo sets. Trying to love being in the pool ?
spent way too much time on the trainer instead of outside
Did my first double digit run after being sick for a couple weeks. It was 40 degrees and raining so feel real good about pushing that one out!
I did a zwift race on Saturday and a run outdoors on Sunday :)
Weather starting to improve so got out for some trail runs this weekend.
Circuit race and TT at Utah Motorsports Park. Same course the super cars and sport bikes race on. Awesome venue!
A hike up Mt. Sanitas
Does walking 22,000 steps per day around Disney World count?
I did recovery power-walks to fight the bronchitis I picked up after Paris marathon a week before. Hope to get back into running soon and new gadgets would be the perfect icing on my cake :)
I had a running race on Sunday, a 10 K trail into the woods near Bucharest.
Hoisted a few with old friends and then worked it off with hill repeats.
Ran a 5k in a thunderstorm!
Went hiking this weekend, 20 mi and an excellent breakfast.
If a ‘recovery’ weekend counts as chasing (literally running) after my 3 and 5-year old kids at two “bouncy-house” birthday parties, followed by a baptism party, then count me in!
A 5k run with the wife while she trains fir a 10.
Just cycling ? lsd and coffee breaks ?
Did short brick 8km+2km+8km.
The Great Welsh Marathon – the most chilled relaxed event ever. Only 310 in the full marathon field, so no runner traffic and all the runners, spectators and marshals were amazing.
My athletic adventure was officiating two soccer games. The one in the pouring rain comes close to true adventure.
Worked towards my iron bike on Zwift
First long run of the year… including 4x laps of the obstacle cours in the park
Went out for a frigid walk and next day an aerobic run to rebuild after injuries. Then watched the ice pellets and snow begin to fall instead of going to the pool.
Rode a 164 mile/18K’ elevation gain ride in the San Gabriel Mountains
Long swim, bike and run before race season begins next weekend.
Start triathlon training again after completing my finals this week! Gotta suffer, in style.
Trainerroad ride followed by the our ‘first family ride’ with my wife and our own peanut.
sunny coastal ride :) till punctured :( then stans fluid did it’s magic and off again :) (gently)
Smashed the step count wondering through London for an anniversary weekend away.
1.5 hours of Zwifting and 1.5 hours of running in the beautiful April sunshine….
My outdoor ride got canceled, so I rode up Zwift de Aplz.
trainer ride Saturday and double run Sunday
Last weekend ended up with a Sat late afternoon 5 mile trail run and then to avoid the cold, wind and rain on Sunday a 10 mile treadmill run. Thank you.
It was strength training weekend. The crying-baby squats, oops-i-forgot-the-_____ stairs run and happy-baby overhead throw.
Hopped on the trainer on both Saturday and Sunday and cycled on the Trainerroad sustained power build plan. Still getting newbie gains!
I did my 3rd ever road race and managed to just avoid a pretty good crash a few people ahead of me. So in 3 road races I’ve done, I’ve had to avoid crashes in 2 of them. I think mountain bike racing as far safer.
I did a three hour run on Saturday. Five weeks until the marathon!
Group ride with a friend who is fighting multiple myeloma. He just finished another round of chemo
daddy needs a powermeter
I swam with my kids…and did a few laps.
A really enjoyable parkrun for me.
Riding on the trainer while studying for exams!
Some zwifting between looking after a 21month and 8 month old! You and me obviously both like a challenge ;-)
Two slow pace runs, 12km on Saturday and 15km on Sunday. A bit of taper after hard Thursday tempo workout. All in preparation to 10k race this coming Sunday.
20 long miles in the cold and wet rain Saturday morning.
Chasing a snake (6′ black snake) off the greenway in Raleigh in the middle of my long run.
Went cross country skiing at Royal Gorge above Lake Tahoe with some friends
Hitting one of the local trails with my boys to test out my 8 year old’s new (to him) mountain bike. So. Much. Fun.
Due to miserable weather, I did two 90 minute indoor training rides.
PR’d a half marathon! #winning