Heads up! The Garmin Enduro 3 is down to $829, some $70 off. That’s the lowest price to date on this new device. The Enduro 3 is notable though because it’s basically a Fenix 8 Solar minus the dive/voice features (and the Fenix 8 Solar/MIP starts at $1,099). Everything else is there, and it gets all Fenix 8 software features (and, insane battery life). Meanwhile, the Fenix 7 down to $429!
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.
Saturday consisted of a 1:20:00 run and a 2900 meter swim followed by float therapy. After a great birthday party Saturday night and busy Sunday I still had to fit in 2hrs of cycling. So at 9:30pm when wife and kids went to be I hopped on the trainer for 2 hours of Zwift then a 20 minute run brick.
Went for a long bike ride on saturday, and on sunday i ran an easy 10k.
Did a 5k run with my 8y.o. twin boys on their bikes, left them at home when they were tired and did another 5k till I was tired!
completed the Forest of Bowland Sportive. Only the short 35 mile course because I had my 13 year old daughter with me on her first Sportive event.
Strength Training and some easy run
Did my first long run after my first half marathon last week. Crazy how much difference a crowd of cheering people can make in Energy :D
I “recovered” in my bed from my recent back-to-back night shifts at my nursing job.
I did a ftp test Saturday and brick on Sunday
14 mile run into town….for truffles!
Had a great outside bike ride on Saturday until I got ‘chased’ up a hill by a, uh, manure spreader who simply would not pass me. Then again, I really don’t think I wanted to be behind him! Ran in the rain and wind on Sunday. A tale of two seasons: 86 Saturday and 43 Sunday.
Brick workouts and bike rides in cold rain.
Had to skip the planned century ride because of work, and I took a long walk with my wife. She was happier with me walking, than being gone for 10 hours ;-)
I did a recovery weekend for my Peanut’s birthday. Doing a half next weekend.
Went for a mountain bike ride through the hills. It was lovely.
Saturday: Went cross country skiing with my girls (2 daughters and girlfriend) Sunday: same again, but this time with the addition of my 86yo grandma! Recovery weekend for me.
Outran a pack of angry wolves in a forest.
(it does not have to be true, right?)
Did my first outdoor “long” run of the year. It was surprisingly hard compared to the treadmill.
Great weekend in Argentina for racing.
We had the national mid distance championship.
Went well!!!
Err, a half marathon… accidentally went out at PB pace in the sun…with silly plastic cups at water stations…..on a hilly course…. total sufferfest from mile 5 onwards! Doh!
Parkrun and a hilly ride on Saturday, Sportshall athletics with the kids on Sunday
Took the tt-bike out for the first time this year. Other than that, forging. Not sure the last one counts though.
This weekend I was at the Canary islands as a sort of ‘babymoon’ (apparently that is a thing..) with my wife. I enjoyed a wonderful run along the black (!) sand beaches!
Finally did some proper training on my rollers after 8 weeks with a plaster on my hand! Feels hard but soooooo amazing :)
Went for a ride in the sun, first outside spin of the year in Norway. Still snow in the woods and ice on the lakes.
well, weekend was sunny and warm. football, cycling and running all done with greatest enjoyment. spring arrived – no reason to spend time at home anymore. hope that Clever Training will offer what i am still looking for. tx as always.
Easy early morning ride
I finally put my kids in ski school for the day this weekend and it was the best decision in a long time. Great chance to ski with the wife, and the kids were amped at the end of the day for more, as opposed to flopping on the ground and crying that they’re cold and tired :-) :-) :-)
1hr bike + some core workout
Run Boston marathon. Its Monday, so not a weekend, but oh well
Did a Treshold test on the threadmil on Sunday morning. Not easy holding on to 190-200bpm!
Getting back in to shape after being sick, so I did a short TrainerRoad workout.
Just an easy 6 on the Treadmill this weekend, as spring is still elusive in Chicago.
Scouted the course for the Weld County Road Race with the team.
Learned that grooved pavement is not a pleasant surface.
I ran the Horsetooth Half Marathon in Colorado. It had about 800 feet of climbing in the first 4 miles.
Posted a 76 in my golf tournament on Saturday, with 3 birdies. Actually won more than enough to cover the entry fee plus lunch. That’s a real win.
Walked the entire Las Vegas Convention Center 3 times last week (that was good for 32,669 steps over three days).
Now, I need to recover from the post-convention cold I contracted.
Would enjoy getting a subsidy towards a set of Garmin pedals!
First run in a long time + some cycling in the rain.
A nice recovery rides through the flower fields of Holland with a friend. Not so far from Amsterdam, ray! You’d like it, would make for a nice blog post :)
I chased my kids around the hardware store whilst trying to get some tools at the same time!
As the sweat poured of my torso from the efforts on the Kickr, I watched the rain streaming down the window.
It was hot for the first time in forever so I spent Saturday finally running much put-off speed work.
Saturday was a 400k ride out around Clearlake (northern CA). Good weather and lovely lake views, I’ve got no complaints. Not even any flats! :)
On post-race weekend took the family to pick-up trash from the lake on kayaks.
I did my Saturday TrainerRoad workout (Carson).
Triathlon training over the weekend, some swimming, a little running (limited due to foot injury), and of course some cycling.
Quick hockey game with my child in the freezing rain.
Indoor workouts on a Wahoo Kickr.
Did a CrossFit workout of double unders and biking.
Long run and recovery easy ride
Riding around all the city with my kid in the transport bike. Being motivated by all the cheering wenn I go a little bit faster
Bike orienteering 20km race – and won!
This weekend was an endless downpour of freezing rain, ice, and snow here in the Great White North. To the trainer for me…
Swift and 4×4 intervals on trainer
Went swimming over the weekend.
I left my car at work on Friday which forced me to exercise to collect it Saturday! Man I need to get my mojo back.
Ran a hard 4 mile run in a picturesque spring day here in the DC Metro area, dodging families on bikes, baby joggers galore, and packs of dog walkers on the paved trails…then winter reared it’s ugly head the next day:(
Long ride out into the UK South Downs with a riding buddy, started pouring with rain when we left the house and we followed the rain in its merry way. Never had a dry cafe been such a welcome sight!!
Last long run before my first marathon in 3 weeks, managed 20 miles, thank god for the taper…!
Imperial and metric century rides on Sat and Sun, respectively
I had a nice post surgery (Friday) shoulder test (ski) on Sunday.
Climbed nearly 5200’ over 51 miles in preparation for my first bike race of the season.
I did a final hill run of 11.5 miles / 3800ft ascent before my first ultra of the year!
Did the new TrainerRoad ramp FTP test. Was so much better than the 20min equivalent.
Ran a 7 miler in z1. Seemed like a really long run.
First I ran slowly 10km (50′) then i sanded my stairs during all the day and at last, i went to the fitness club (1h30). Fall aslept in 5 minutes !
Long ride and run done and done over the weekend
Did a Mamet road ride with my son (Old age and treachery…) :)
Spent an hour riding around Pulseville
We had a blizzard all weekend in the Upper Midwest (we got 22 inches of snow Friday night – Sunday night) so running wasn’t a good option. But since winter never seems to end, and I was bored staying indoors, I ran a half mile in the blizzard in just shorts and t-shirt (and Gore-tex trail shoes). I felt good enought to run a few miles, but was blinded by snow and nearly hit a mailbox 1/4 mile from the start, so turned around and went back to avoid injuries.
Yes, please! I ran 2 legs in the inaugural Ville to Ville relay, a 75 mile relay from Asheville NC to Greenville SC, with 5 friends from Ohio! Had a blast!
I went on a slow down walk this Sunday, running after the kids sometimes, and kicking a ball ;)
Got a new half marathon PR on Saturday, and then ran a recovery half on Sunday to celebrate.
Went for a walk with the family on a sunny weekend.
10km warm up run Saturday night, 30km run six hours later. Wrecked.
Hiked with the family. Enjoy the one day of sun.
Did my longest run since June and trained five days that week. Starting to get back in shape
Cut a 18mi interval run short due to knee issues, so yay me.
Did a 50k trail run starting from my house.
Last weekend? Trainer trainer trainer.
I ran 10 miles in training for a half marathon in two weeks. I’ve done lots of them, but training has not been going well. Not the adventure I hoped for!
Long training run on Saturday; tough bike-run brick on Sunday. I deserve this one. ;)
We had great fun riding the 150 k tour version of the Amstel gold race. I could use a new triathlon watch for my triathlon in August! :-)
Fit in a 10 mile windy run between my son’s soccer games.
This weekend I went for a slow 5k with a little walking. Trying to get back into running shape.
First bricks of the season! Sunday: 7 mile run, 30 minute easy spin … and then I went rock climbing for 3 hours. Feeling it today!
5km swim
Had a great ride in preparation for my May century.
Played squash for the first time in 4 years….and can’t move since! :-)
Working at the weekend so just commuting on my bike.
Not much, I’m injured. Back at it on Wednesday though….
100km on my bike this weekend!
Rode 33 miles with my local bike shop!
We went snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef!
I ran my first ULTRA MARATHON – a 50k trail run in Vancouver, Canada called Diez Vistas 50k. It was awesome, and have already signed up for my next one in September!
running through an airport to catch my next flight.
Did an easy 120k clubride. Finished the weekend with a fast 10k run, preparing for 10 miles event next week.
Mountainous, misty cold gravel race in NY
Parkrun on Saturday trying to recover from Friday track night. Then a spring head torch run on the local trails on Sunday night being buzzed by bats and chatting to friendly deer!
Joined a two-stage cycling race!
A 100K Ride training for the Great Ocean & Otway Classic. Spectacular scenery.
Well, biking a few km with my daughter.