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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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!
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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?
Author Archives: Ray Maker
TrainerRoad rolls out new forward looking calendar, planned workouts. Set to raise prices.
Today TrainerRoad announced and released their next set of features to their platform, which edge it closer and closer to a full-fledged training log platform than just a trainer control platform. This transition of course isn’t new. It began in … Read More Here
Minoura Kagura DT Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
It’s been almost precisely one year since I last posted about the Minoura Kagura DT (aka the LST9200). Almost all of which I had an unopened box of a Kagura DT sitting patiently in a corner. First in Paris, and … Read More Here
Interbike 2018 Tech Tidbits: Stages, Elite, Velosense, K-Edge, Minoura
As expected, most of the cycling electronic-related gizmos and gadgets were announced back at Eurobike in July. Still, there were some holdouts. Both announcements that didn’t quite make the July dates and slipped till now, as well as some companies … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
After having spent a little over a week stateside for Interbike and a few other meetings, it was time to head back to Amsterdam for another week at home. Here’s what I was up to over the past weekend while … Read More Here
First Look: The $749 Tacx Flux S Smart Trainer (Direct Drive)
(** Update: There has since been a Tacx Flux S In-Depth Review. Follow the link for the most up to date information**) Last week at Interbike, Tacx announced the Flux S, making it the second Flux trainer announced in almost … Read More Here
GoPro Hero 7 Black In-Depth Review
It’s that time of year again. Like clockwork it’s the annual drop from GoPro of new action cameras. This year they’ve launched three new cameras – the Hero 7 Black, Silver, and White. These three new cameras will replace all … Read More Here
Wahoo Fitness adds Pioneer’s advanced pedaling metrics to ELEMNT/BOLT
Today Wahoo and Pioneer announced a bit of a partnership that will bring Pioneer’s advanced power meter pedaling metrics onto the Wahoo ELEMNT and BOLT head unit lineup. These metrics have long been only available on Pioneer’s head units, and … Read More Here
Pioneer announces new color-mapping GPS bike computer, plus new power meters
In some ways, Pioneer can be easy to forget about in the power meter scene, though I’m honestly not sure why. They’ve consistently delivered a new round of products every year at Interbike – almost as consistent as Apple can … Read More Here
First Look: Kinetic R1 Direct Drive Trainer
Update – December 2019: You can find my full Kinetic R1 In-Depth Review here! Which is packed with plenty of real-world details after months of usage. And just like that, Kinetic has joined the direct drive trainer flotilla. But unlike … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend (Tahoe Edition)
From mountain biking around Tahoe to to hiking the mountains, it’s all outdoors all the time! Read More Here
The New Polar Vantage Series: Everything you ever wanted to know
The new Polar Vantage V and Vantage M include a slew of new features, from new training load metrics to recovery metrics. Plus the Vantage V gets running power too. Read More Here
Wahoo KICKR CORE Trainer In-Depth Review
Can the KICKR CORE save you $300 over the regular KICKR? I dig in for all the pros and cons, from accuracy to road feel, apps and more. Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza 2018 Winners!
Another year goes past – and another huge Giveaway Extravaganza is now complete! This year was pretty crazy once again, with boatloads upon boatloads of people stopping by the site to enter the dozen giveaways. As with every year – … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
It was a relatively quiet weekend here in Amsterdam – a bit of a calm before the storm of tons of travel, industry events, and plenty of other product related stuff. Here’s what we were up to! 1) Lunch inside … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch
All good things must come to an end, and this folks, it’s the end of the road. At least assuming you’re still on the road and haven’t fallen asleep and found you and your bike crashed into the side of … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: GoPro Hero 6 Black
There’s one product you’ll find with me on every single ride, run, or swim: my GoPro. Specifically, the GoPro Hero 6. Sometimes even two of them, if I’m gettin’ really wild! Now, unlike the GoPro Fusion 360° camera I gave … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Quarq DZero Power Meter
It’s time for another meter. With only a handful of giveaways left in this seemingly never-ending parade of free stuff, we need more power. I suppose I’m probably mostly talking about caffeine and not cycling power…but what’s the difference anyway? … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Fitbit Ionic GPS + Fitbit WiFI Scale
Given the way the day is going and how many of you are tied to your chairs, it’s probably not exactly a good idea to talk about weight scales. But in this second twofer of the day you’ll get exactly … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: DJI Spark Drone
While I have a somewhat absurd collection of drones (and growing), it’s actually one of the least expensive and smallest ones that I prefer the most – the tiny spark. It weighs less than a water bottle and I’ve taken … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: The Anything Unannounced Soon Giveaway!
Back by popular demand this year: What if I could give you the future? Or more specifically, the unannounced future? Yup, I’m going to do just that. Over the next 3 weeks there’s going to be a crapton of new … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Wahoo KICKR CORE + KICKR CLIMB
Boom, mic drop. Or, perhaps more accurately…fork drop. Which, will happen once you connect these two up. You’ll be going up and down like a merry-go-round horse as the KICKR CLIMB replicates the mountains and hills around your virtual world. … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Garmin Fenix 5 Plus
When it comes to features, no watch has as many features as the Fenix 5 Plus. From the watch you can listen to Britney Spears via headphones while concurrently paying for a Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino using contactless payments, all while … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Favero Assioma Duo Power Meter Pedals
Bring on the power! And in this case, power to the people! There’s no doubt Favero has certainly done that in the power meter pedal world with the solid Assioma pedals, even if their product name can be a bit … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: GoPro Fusion 360° Action Cam
Let’s say that you were the dude (or dudette) who always managed to miss the shot. Always had the camera pointed in the wrong direction, or perhaps always had it out of focus. Well, I’ve got a solution for you: … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Wahoo BOLT Cycling GPS
There’s only one bike computer that includes an aerodynamic mount that will, if nothing else, make you feel faster. And thus, I’ve introduced the next product on today’s lineup – the Wahoo BOLT GPS. It’s arguably the unit that kicked … Read More Here