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 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.
Author Archives: The Girl
The Girl’s 2024 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Hi hi, this is Bobbie (The Girl), otherwise known as Ray’s other half. 2024 was an awesome year of training and racing, and I’m now about 2 years back from my triathlon hiatus. Having been out of the triathlon scene … Read More Here
DCR Cave Winter Open House Registration Is Now Open! November 23rd, 2024
It is with great excitement and a little bit of sadness that we announce the final DCR Cave Open House in Amsterdam, Netherlands (we’re sure this time). So if you’ve put off coming to the event, you’ve now been served … Read More Here
DCR Cave Summer Open House Registration Is Now Open! July 13th, 2024
Yup, you read the title right! It’s back! The DCR Cave SUMMER Open House! With the event right around the corner, we have lots to do, but first, we need to know how many beers to buy! So don’t wait … Read More Here
The Girl’s 2023 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Hey there, this is Bobbie (The Girl), otherwise known as Ray’s other half. This year, 2023, I decided I had been away from competition for long enough, and wanted to get back into racing. Having been out of the triathlon … Read More Here
DCR Cave Winter Open House Registration Is Now Open! December 2nd, 2023
Yup, you read the title right! It’s the annual winter DCR Cave Open House! With the event right around the corner, we have lots to do, but first, we need to know how many beers to buy! So don’t wait … Read More Here
DCR Cave Winter Open House Registration Is Now Open! December 3rd, 2022
Yup, you read the title right! It’s the annual winter DCR Cave Open House! With the event right around the corner, we have lots to do, but first, we need to know how many beers to buy! So don’t wait … Read More Here
Little Tikes Pelican Explore & Fit Cycle In-Depth Review
I never imagined there would come a product that would have me looking back at the Fisher-Price Think & Learn Smart Cycle Trainer, and drawing comparisons. But with that unit being discontinued in the world’s poorest product timing ever (just … Read More Here
The Girl’s 2021 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Hey there, this is The Girl, Ray’s other half. After Ray’s latest Gear I Use post, some of you commented that you wanted an updated Gear List from me as well. So I sat down at the laptop and several … Read More Here
The Girl’s 2018 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Hey there, this is The Girl writing to you today. As promised, I have put together an updated Gear I Use Post for you. So, if you are interested, take a moment to scan the lists of all of the … Read More Here
The Girl’s 2015 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Two weeks ago week I outlined every piece of gear that I regularly use in my day to day training or racing. Not the stuff that I review for products, but rather, the goods that I always turn back to once … Read More Here
The Girl’s 2013 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
(Update: You can find The Girl’s 2015 version of the ‘Gear I use’ list here) Yesterday I posted my updated 2013 “Gear I use List” regularly in my training or racing. As noted, it’s just stuff I personally use, not things … Read More Here
Paris Blog: Bertie’s CupCakery Opening in Paris!
Since this is a Paris life post I thought it was important to give everyone the fantastic news of how Paris life for us as we know it is about to change! This is because Bertie’s CupCakery is now officially … Read More Here
The Girl’s 2012 swim/bike/run gear I use list
Last week I outlined every piece of gear that I regularly use in my day to day training or racing. Not the stuff that I review for products, but rather, the goods that I always turn back to once the … Read More Here
Paris Blog: House Hunters International–Part I
Amidst the craziness of gutting out and fixing up our house, Ray and I both transited across the Atlantic twice to play what we self titled “House Hunters International”. Granted we weren’t actually on the hit reality show, but we … Read More Here
Paris Blog: Putting the house on the market
There was a bit of delay since our last Paris post and this is primarily due to for how busy life has become. Moving houses can be a bit of a production, but downsizing from a full American townhouse house … Read More Here
Paris Blog: House Cleaning – 8 Years of Stuff!
(Side Note: Until the separate Paris Blog feed gets all setup in the next few weeks, both posts will be fed into this/current feed. Hang tight, you might just enjoy the content! And, in case you missed it – we’re … Read More Here
Guest Post: ‘The Girl’ Speaks!
(Quick note from Ray: The following was actually written before we got engaged this past weekend. She had no idea about that, and she put together this post a few months back and I hemmed and hawed waiting to post … Read More Here