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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
Author Archives: Ray Maker
Strava Launches Spotify Integration: Hands-On Quick Overview
Look, I’m a sucker for Spotify integration in anything. Be it watches, Ikea speakers (because I’m too cheap to buy the fancy-proper SONOS ones), or as is the case today, Strava. Don’t worry, this post is a quickie, and more … Read More Here
Garmin Instinct 2X Solar In-Depth Review: Bigger and Flashlight-Equipped!
Garmin’s new Instinct 2X aims to complete the threesome size lineup of the Instinct 2 series, offering now a small, medium, and large edition. However, most notably, it becomes the next series of watches to include the flashlight, which Garmin … Read More Here
Garmin Edge 840 Cycling GPS In-Depth Review
Garmin has just announced the new Edge 840, as well as Edge 540 units. And like last year, with the more expensive Edge 1040, both the 540 and 840 get Solar variants. However, the changes go far beyond just sunny-side-up … Read More Here
A Week of Sunshine Swim/Bike/Run/Hike in Mallorca
Last week was a busy one, packed with cycling, running, swimming, hiking, and all sorts of other things. I was down on the Spanish island of Mallorca, a short 2ish hour flight from home in Amsterdam, putting in the miles. … Read More Here
Garmin Adds New Beta Features to Fenix 7/Epix Product Family
The next quarterly public beta program has begun for the Fenix 7/Epix family, with the initial list of new features and changes being released. These features include features recently launched on the Garmin Forerunner 965 and Forerunner 265, such as … Read More Here
Previously Disqualified Zwift Cheater Tries MyWhoosh, Gets Promptly Disqualified
While cheating happens every day, all day, on Zwift and other virtual cycling platforms. Every few months there exists a story worth writing about. And today is one of those days. I’m out riding, running, and swimming a stupid number … Read More Here
Bryton Gardia R300 Cycling Radar In-Depth Review
Last summer at Eurobike 2022 Bryton sorta-kinda-but-not-really announced their new Bryton Gardia R300 cycling radar. For those unfamiliar, a cycling radar detects overtaking vehicles (or cyclists/mopeds/etc…), and warns you on your bike computer/watch. At the time of announcement it … Read More Here
Garmin Changes Public Beta Program For Faster and Easier Access
Garmin has announced a set of changes to their public beta program, which they say are based on feedback from customers. While Garmin has had public beta firmware versions for a number of years, it was only a year ago … Read More Here
Week in Review – March 19th, 2023
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
Tech Tidbits: Supersapiens DQ for Pro Cyclist, Wahoo/Zwift Court Update, and COROS 1-on-1 Coaching
Spring is nearing, and as a result, we’re starting to see sports tech things warming up. And, also, as is applicable today – racing spring events using sports tech things. Overall, I think this is gonna be one of the … Read More Here
Fitbit Makes Some Premium Subscription Features Free
Fitbit has announced that they’ll be making a set of their Fitbit Premium subscription features free to all Fitbit users – including for Pixel Watch users which leverage the Fitbit features. These features are mostly historical data access features (versus … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 265/265S: The Complete Beginners Guide
Just a quick heads up for those that aren’t subscribed on YouTube, that I’ve just hit publish on my incredibly detailed hour-long user guide for the new Garmin Forerunner 265. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll leave no stone…err…menu option unturned … Read More Here
Apple Significantly Changes Apple Watch Running Power In Latest Beta
Apple has quietly made a pretty substantial change to how and when running power is calculated in the Apple Watch, which will impact ultra and trail runners the most. Thankfully, this is a good change. This change is part of … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 965: The Complete Beginners Guide
Just a quick heads up for those that aren’t subscribed on YouTube, that I’ve just hit publish on my incredibly detailed hour-long user guide for the new Garmin Forerunner 965. As always, this comprehensive guide thoroughly explores every feature of … Read More Here
Garmin Epix vs Forerunner 965: All 65+ Differences Detailed
I have just spent an absurd amount of time trying to compare every single feature, hardware component, and menu option between the new Forerunner 965 and the existing Garmin Epix watch. Both are AMOLED display units, but spaced approximately … Read More Here
Zwift Announces New Layoffs Reducing 15% of Workforce
Zwift has internally announced a restructuring that is resulting in a reduction of the workforce by 15%, or approximately 80 people in total. The change is largely coming out of a “fresh look” at things with Zwift’s recently added Co-CEO, … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 265/265S In-Depth Review: AMOLED in Two Sizes!
The Forerunner 265 series watches have become Garmin’s lowest-priced AMOLED display endurance sports-focused watch, coming in at roughly half the price of the Garmin Epix series launched a year ago – but here with full multiband GNSS support on … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 965 In-Depth Review: Now with AMOLED Display!
Garmin has just announced two new watches – the Forerunner 965 (this review), and the Forerunner 265/265S (full review here!), both multisport watches and both equipped with swanky AMOLED displays. This nearly completes Garmin’s equipping of different watch lineups … Read More Here
Apple Watch Running Track Mode Expands To More Countries
A quick post for today as Apple has expanded their Apple Watch running track mode to more countries. This mode will automatically detect the running track as you step onto the track, offering to enter/trigger track mode (assuming you’re in … Read More Here
Shimano R9200P Power Meter In-Depth Review: Astonishingly Inaccurate
I’ve been testing the Shimano latest generation power meter since last summer, comparing it to virtually every other viable power meter and smart trainer on the market today during that time frame. And as one who tests power meters … Read More Here
Strava Adds Photo Crowdsourcing For Routes: Here’s How it Works!
Strava has added the ability to see photos uploaded to the platform from other users to the route planning tools in their smartphone app. This means that if you use any of the route functions on the Strava app, you … Read More Here
Whoop Lowers Subscription Prices, Talks New Features, Sorta Adds Lifetime Warranty
In what appears to be a first for a sports tech company in recent months, Whoop has lowered their subscription price for their fitness-focused wearable service. Unlike most companies, Whoop doesn’t actually cost money to buy the device itself, but … Read More Here
TrainingPeaks Raises Prices Slightly, MyWhoosh Sets $1,000,000 Esports Race Prize Purse
Two quick Tuesday sports tech items for ya today, both involving money. One costing you slightly more money, but the other allowing you to make more money…assuming you can pedal hard enough. TrainingPeaks Premium Price Increase: TrainingPeaks has announced a … Read More Here
Strava’s CEO Resigns: Company Begins Search for New KOM
Strava’s CEO, Michael Horvath, has resigned, saying that “I have decided that Strava needs a CEO with the experience and skills to help us make the most of this next chapter”. The company says that “the search for Strava’s next … Read More Here
Cannondale SmartSense System Long-Term Review: Synapse 1 RLE
After nearly a year of usage, I’ve got a pretty good handle on the Cannondale SmartSense system. The idea with the SmartSense platform is that a bike can be equipped with cycling rearview radar, lights (front and back), speed sensors, … Read More Here