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.
Well, weekend is the usual; crossfit on sat abd recovery on sun :)
Probably a couple of beers tbh
Trek100 ride
I love the idea of free stuff!
4 mile run followed by chasing the two year old around the house and lark the rest of the weekend. Rest days look real different now!
Gorgeous weekend here, I did a nice 5 mile run this weekend and about 20 miles of walking with my dogs.
Cross training by doing chores around the house
Weekend work out was sitting in the car driving back to CA form the Oregon and trying to walk around the car as I could when we would stop for food or to use the restroom. Of course there was unpacking and unloading the car too that was a pretty good workout.
Hope to get somewhere between 20-30 miles of running in. Maybe hit a trail for one of the runs.
Big plan is to do a century this weekend. I ride for an Irish team, and just finished a very disrupted racing season. Looking forward to some quality ‘slow miles with the boys, and a couple of buns on the way!
This weekend trainings plans are:
-workout session in Zwift – Zwift Academy Road
– long run
– family time
… and NETFLIX, Apple +, etc time
After the Premiership Rugby final on Saturday, recovery will be foremost on my mind, and climbing wall mods !
Gravel riding around some of North East England’s finest scenery
I coach cross country, so I’m going to watch other people work out!
Weekend workout plan was recovering from strep throat.
Early long run on Saturday, plus sisters wedding that afternoon, Sunday may include a light Zwift ride in the afternoon if my kids let me sleep in a little…
A little paddle boarding
Working my way through the career on Rouvy as the daytime highs are already below freezing here.
A 65 mile gravel race in Texas!
going on a hike and then a bicycle ride.
Nice falling leaves run around town.
I stumbled through an 8 mile run and then went to watch my two boys run in their league championship.
Saturday morning: long run
Saturday afternoon: upgrading the brakes on my bike
Sunday: depends on the brake upgrade success (or lack thereof). Wine is always an option.
Group ride, zwift if raining, and kayaking with the dog.
Unfortunately, it is Zwift season again.
If the weather holds, 2.5 hours on the bike.
My weekend workout plans are running, cycling and Netflix.
Getting my first bike fit ever so hope to go on a long fast ride to feel the benefit!
Just getting started back into things again so a 5km run on Saturday and a few hours hiking and walking on Sunday.
My weekend workout will be reading through DCRainmakers reviews while recovering from a spinal fracture due been t-boned on my bicycle by a F-150.
Weekend workout involves putting my feet up and allowing the cortisone injection to do it’s job on a torn tendon. Post weekend workout will involve running for the first time in 11 weeks (fingers crossed!)
Crushed the Everest Challenge. Triple summit today to finish it off. Chaffin’ the Dream, 2 members are currently sitting in 3rd overall in the Tri (bike, run, hike) competition. 1 day to go!! 1st Marathon run on Saturday (24th) the day after my wife and my 10th anniversary! ??
Sunday was supposed be a long tempo day, after a lazy morning I decided to just do 5miles at my normal pace of course had to follow it up with a local breakfast spot egg and cheese haha.
Maybe a quick ride followed by a bottle of wine.
Steady session on Zwift while watching the F1
A nice bike ride with one kid on the front of the bike and one getting towed behind
Weekend workout plans. 1:30 ride on TrainerRoad Friday, long zone 2 run Saturday. Sunday is virtual church followed buy movie night and popcorn.
Groad ride!
Mountain biking on local trails Friday, trail running different trails Saturday, rest and football (and appropriate beverages) on Sunday.
Getting the bike ride in around crazy family schedule.??
Going for a long ride to Windsor and back
Thanks for doing this giveaway! Love your comprehensive reviews! I have a 1 hour run for Saturday and a 40 min run for Sunday! I just started a 10K training plan (Garmin).
Ride my bike around the neighborhood, make a pot of chili and just relax.
Zwift, ride and cake
Weekend plans are slow recovery runs as I rehab a strained piriformis. Getting older is not for the weak!
Long and slow.
Will be trying to adhere to my Sufferfest training plan and taking care of family priorities. Not much exciting. Had to cancel participation in a gravel race I was looking forward to. Could use a little morale booster.
Post run snuggles with my dog.
Going cycling with the family on an island off the coast of sing
Weekend workout was a whole bunch of glute PT, working through some patellar femoral pain syndrome. Tough to take a step back in training but hoping to be up and running / biking by next week!
Get back my endurance through long runs. I’ve dropped the ball in the past but it’s getting better now through a consistent schedule and ramping up to longer distances.
love getting out on the bike
Chores around the house plus swimming, biking & running
Planning on an 80 mile gravel race in La Veta, CO
Sad to see Clever Training go, I got my Vantage from them with my DCR discount! Thanks Ray. The weekend plans are going to a bike park with the kids.
I’ll be recovering from neck surgery! But still need/want gadgets for my future endeavors
It’s been a long year. $500 sure would be a nice surprise!
Weekend plans include a run and bike and sleep
Walk with the Mrs along the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore.
Since I ran a lot past 40 days it will be only half marathon, 5k on Friday and some bike on Saturday
Doing everything I can to avoid the pool by continuing Open water swimming…The Goal is Nov 1. Fingers crossed.
Fighting Colorado’s largest wildfire.
Recovery run on Saturday and long-run (plus Peloton cool-down) on Sunday!
First 90 minute run back after rest and recovery after racing at Outlaw X.
Might also take the kids for a short run.
Legs are tired from two 50+ mile rides at 18.4mph & 18mph, both with 3,500 ft of elevation. Not bad for a 225lbs 48 year old
Disney with my kids
Shopping for a new bike rack
I built gravel bikes for my wife, her son, and I have a bike seat on the back of my dad bike for our 13 month old. So we will be out spinning and trying new things. They both managed to ride their first “bomb hole” feature the weekend just gone. Hopefully find a bigger one this weekend for them to try out.
Hiking in Yosemite.
Vacationing – so my workout plans are to simply run enough miles to not lose my Run Bet.
I will certainly be biking to enjoy the autumn color.
Chasing a toddler in the first snow of the season, after a Zwift session.
Have to be a good long run!
weekend workout was a bunch o yardwork, and some rides on zwift
I am hoping the weather cooperates and I can get in a long bike ride this weekend.
Backcountry did not honor their lifetime warranty that was advertised when I purchased from them. Buyer beware.
My weekend workout? Need to add more anaerobic but have limited time window to workout; so, I’m trying to decide how to do this best.
Likely indoor riding.
Zwift with Xert training.
Pre-base building is the way forward.
Switch the summer tyres to winter ones on the van. A little lifting is good for the soul.
Switch the summer tyres to winter ones on the van. A little lifting is good for the soul
Trail running in bitter cold
Trying to get some more road miles in before it gets too cold in New England for my FL blood. Likely going to get get a 5-10mi run in as well.
Went on my first ever backpacking trip on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail in Western PA with 5 friends and family to socially distance from the rest of the world.
Weekend plans start in Saturday with a 3-4 hr rolling hills bike rides and an 8 mile run on Sunday.
Backcountry backpacking in Pisgah National Forest with my son.
Definitely going to be some zwifting either a long ride or a race on Saturday the recovery ride on Sunday.
My weekend was continuation of my run my first sub 4 in December . But I got injured and now the worry starts. Will I be able to or not?. Will know when I start running again in a few days.
Wake up and turn on my Gaggia espresso machine before taking my brand new puppy out of the crate so it will heat up while we play. After a doggie walk and strong cappuccino, I will continue to break in my Peleton + with a 90 minute Matt Wilpers class followed by stretch and core strength. May spend the rest of the day wearing my 2020 Boston Marathon medal I just received today!
This weekend? Ride, and swim. Repeat!
Riding onewheel to get ramen, then carving in the grassy park, some offseason snowboard training on a recovery day.
Long run and bike ride!
I’m working on a new cold weather route, cleaning up my attic.
Congrats DCR! Will be doing a lot of unboxing as we move into new digs, and hopefully squeezing in a Zwift ride in the new man cave.
Short run and a bike ride with the kids!!!
Backcountry and TSG Consumer dust up over trademarks.
link to coloradosun.com
Badge Hunt ride on Zwift Saturday and then Zwift Academy Group Run + Workout double on Sunday
Searching for a new road bike.
Simple peloton ride then the wedding!!! Sunday will be recovery from the wedding.
Last weekend was an endurance ride in the last days of this heat wave — definitely underhydrated — and threshold hill surges.
This next weekend will be some more hill work and a free-time ride (wrapping up a recovery week).
Good training, everyone!
I’m glad I started doing more running again. So I’m hoping to get a good run in. Through the woods and hopefully a slightly longer distance too.
A long-ish run in the foothills of Boise Saturday followed by a serious Netflix binge of Schitts Creek! sleep. Sunday morning Ride through the ever changing tree lined streets of Eagle followed by yard work!
I’m going to walk a bunch and try to run. I’m recovering from a bike wreck and tibia fracture.
Ride m bike
Would love to go for some trail runs, but will probably just be studying
Two TrainerRoad workouts is what I have in store this weekend. Maybe a zwift race will replace the harder workout.
3 hour bike/ 30 min brick run, Ocean swim. 1 hour run, ocean swim…
Just a couple trail runs in the hills – 2-3 hours each…
Trainer ride for the win.
Gravel riding through the beautiful fall foliage with about 6,000 ft of climbing.
Weekend workout – DIY in our new house! The budget fit bike things has to be spent on paints and equipment instead ?
Riding the new Kickr + InsideRide to complete my October Grand Fondo if the weather isn’t nice enough to ride outside.
I Will do 100k bike ride this weekend
My weekend workout will consist of leg day (never skip leg day) in the gym, and riding my DIY peloton at home. Oh, and chasing the kids around the house. That counts as cardio, right?
Doing a D2R2 route out of Greenfield MA into VT with 10-other mixed terrain riders.
Will do a one hour workout in zwift.
Billy Goat Trail (B&C) run/ hike with my dog!
Weekend workout was a 50 miles bike ride.
Complete a zwift training academy group ride
I’m doing a long ride Saturday and a hard brick Sunday.
Just a nice walk with the grand dog-Spud
I recovered from a week of school Saturday and went for a short run Sunday. Going for another run today. Weekends aren’t really a thing in this COVID world.
Easy bike fondo 100 kilometers with my wife ??⚡️⚡️??????
Using DC Rainmaker Analyzer Tool to figure out how badly my new Whoop HR readings are off vs Scosche vs Apple Watch, etc.
I ran my first 26.2 miles!!! It was a challenge, not going to lie but I got it done.
Wait that was last weekend.
This weekend was 14 miles!!!!
Took Amtrak to a town an hour away and rode a rails to trails route back home. 87 miles and more than 75 of them on the trails.
Finally going to get back on the bike! Zwift and maybe a swim.
My plan for this weekend is to head out hiking. The leaves are all turning color this time of year and the bugs are mostly dead thanks to the cold weather. It’s a great time of year to be outdoors.
Yeah! This is the greatest.
Go on a trail run in Mississippi!
Starting off strong on Friday night by going to a bike protest. Saturday going to a bigger bike protest this one for racial equality instead of food equality (equal access to food). And on Sunday going to bike to sleepy hallow on bike with friends for a spooky ride!
Weekend workout included a 4h ride and a 2h swim.
Afterwards a BBQ and beers for recovery!
Long double run and a short bike
A long ride in fall temps
Weekend workout will be finishing up a brick-paver patio and following that with a brick ride out the Columbia River Gorge.
It’s leaf-peeping season in New England, so gravel bikes and pretty colors are on tap for me!
Trying to get back in the groove four months after baby, hoping to get a run in!
Hope I’m not too late! Could really use something positive to run with
My workout plan is to go backpacking this weekend.
I am planning on a tempo and threshold rides on zwift
Hike in white mountains of NH
Hi, my weekend plans are going for a hike and do some geocashing, the longer the better. Now when the weather is getting colder I could use a par of hiking boots.
I love being outside in rain or sunshine. I love to grab the bike load it in the car and go geocashing ? Geochaching is my newest addiction I can do it wile I am running, hiking, walking or biking.
My weekend includes a 2-hour “hike” on the beach with my canine, time on feet.
Planning on doing a virtual half marathon on Saturday and watching kids play lots of soccer games.
I have a major workout upcoming. Six weeks post total knee replacement, so I’m excited to actually get on the bike on the road for a mile or two!
Hiking some Beautiful mountain trials with my husband. ??⛰
Quick run and yardwork
Recovering from Achilles tendinitis so a 10k run this weekend with a couple of Peloton classes to round out the recovery work!
I’m going for a 20 mile trail run in the “Parc de la Jacques-Cartier” with friends. Enjoying the colors of the season.
I will enjoy one of the last week-end of mountain biking in Quebec City region before the snow comes in!
Weekend workout was two Zwifters and a run.
run a few miles to maintain whatever semblance of a running i still have
Recovery weekend with shorter cycling workouts and watching the Tour of Flanders!
Getting back to zwift riding.
Hiking in the PNW!
Saturday outside ride of 65 miles followed by 50 miles on Sunday. Weather outstanding this time of year in Houston.
VO2 training on my bike.
Plan on doing 1 long run and a regular run, if lucky some time on the bike
Long run with the husband on Saturday, then Sunday will be a long aerobic bike ride also with the husband ;) Always a good tome if I get to spend it with him. This will be the distress weekend after a long hard week.
Netflix and spin :)
I’m going to do some yoga and walk the dog!
9 mile group run with my friends on Saturday with some strength training later in the day.
Lots of lap swimming and hopefully jumping on the bike to enjoy some fall weather and colors.
I hope to get out on the road on my bike…. but if time weather or life do not cooperate, I will at least jump on my smart trainer and get one of the programmed workouts in on Zwift. Currently, I tend to favor the “10-12wk FTP Builder” series, as a good combination of tempo days and interval days. The longer, hard days really kick my ass for a while when I level up. The good news is that my FTP continues to slowly climb and those gains are definitely seen out on the road.
Of course, in addition to whatever bike workouts I can get in, I still have my daily “ranch chores” to do at the animal sanctuary. (threeringranch.org). When you have monkeys, parrots, horses, a buffalo, giant tortoises, and all sorts of other critters to take care of, every day is a functional workout: Three Ring Ranch crossfit, I like to call it. Today included the usual daily produce run (carrying multiple 30-60 pound boxes of discarded produce that Safeway saves for us) followed by a run to the feed store, which means loading and unloading a dozen 50-pound bags of feed. The other usual daily chores include shoveling horse poop, carrying buckets of water for to refill the ostrich’s bowls, and lots and lots of walking and carrying. After an intense hill-climbing ride (my “usual” route is ~ 26 miles with 2,200′ if climbing) trying to push a heavy wheelbarrow up a hill is a real quad-burner.
Apple picking!
Yas Marina brick – bike+run
Weekend plans were for a bike ride on Saturday and Sunday run. Weather was great both days
half marathon!
Team hill climb on Zwift and hiking with my dad!
I am finishing up my final preparations for the Javalina Jundred
Peloton because it got cold in Iowa!
Run with kids on Sunday morning.
I’ll probably go for a long run if I can drag myself out of bed…
weekend plans are a chunk of gravel riding with a side of running and some dessert in there along the way. Follow that up with some relaxtion/recovery with some binge t.v. show streaming.
Pool swim, zwift treadmill run and then round it out with hot yoga session
MTB on my local trail.
So this coming weekend is full of fun and adventure…. and some training; I’m talking, 4 hr MTB, deer hurt, and quality time on Netflixs watching Schitts Creek.
Thanks DCR for doing what your doing!
Ride outside to enjoy the fall colors!
Taking a walk and enjoying the fall weather.
Weekend plan is to surf the large waves coming our way from a late season tropical storm developing. It may even bring huge surf to Europe. If the surf does not cooperate, then I will bike and run
A little trail running, maybe get back on a mountain bike for the first time in a decade or so.
Weight training and a swim.
Didn’t get a chance for the bike ride I wanted…
20 mile 3000’ mountain bike ride
Enjoy a fall mtb ride followed by recovering watching my my 12 yr sons fall baseball game
My workout plans are just PT on my knee so I can get back to real workouts!
Short run and time with Netflix!
Trail race! (In person but safely COVID modified format)
wahoo elemnt roam!
probably just an easy long run very slowly
Trail running, road running and a TV marathon
Current weekend workout plans – 6 mile hike with my pup, a quick track workout, and watching Over the Garden Wall to get in the Halloween spirit!
running a 50k trail race!
My knee’s buggered at the moment so my weekend was spent grocery shopping.
sprints, then long ride
Cramming for a half marathon and recovering watching Flanders!
running when I’m not raking leaves. So. Many. Leaves.
I’ll be riding the Hincapie Gran Fondo this weekend!
Bike Zwift ftp training program!
A zwift ride followed by building a fence all weekend!
Hitting the Kickr for some Sufferfest workouts followed by yoga, because it’s snowing outside! :’(
Sweetspot and threshold work