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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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.
Garmin Instinct 3 vs Garmin Fenix 8: Every Difference Detailed!
The Instinct series and Fenix series are Garmin’s two main ‘outdoors’ and adventure-focused watch series. And while these two models have continued to converge, there are a ton of differences. Somewhere in the 100+ differences range if you were … Read More Here
FIT File: Garmin Instinct 3…Let’s Chat
For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we chat about new 2025 CES … Read More Here
Polar Update Adds Maps Points of Interest, Charging During Workouts, and More
As promised back in the fall, Polar has released their Q1 firmware update for the Polar Vantage V3 and Polar Grit X2 Pro, under the FW3.0 umbrella. This update brings with it the following new features: – Adds mapping points … Read More Here
AmazFit Active 2 Hands-on: $99 Sportswatch with Mapping!
AmazFit has just announced the new Active 2, a smartwatch at $99 (or $129 for the Premium model with a sapphire screen and [vegan] leather strap). Otherwise, both watches feature identical software features – and for $99, as is usually … Read More Here
Garmin Instinct 3 Series Hands-on: Everything You Need To Know!
Garmin has just announced the Instinct 3 series, as well as the Instinct E and new HRM-200. The Instinct 3 takes the existing Instinct 2 lineup and increases it to both an AMOLED & MIP based display option. That … Read More Here
Garmin HRM-200 In-Depth Review
Garmin has just announced their HRM-200 chest strap, a product designed to be their affordable chest strap option, for scenarios that might not work as well with an optical HR sensor. But perhaps more interesting, is that it’s the … Read More Here
AmazFit T-Rex 3 In-Depth Review: What’s the Catch?
The AmazFit T-Rex 3 has garnered much attention over the past few months since its announcement. In many ways, that attention is deserved, albeit a wee bit overstated. Still, the watch has been on my wrist now non-stop for … Read More Here
The Begining of the End for ANT+ Wireless
First off, no, your ANT+ devices aren’t going to stop working. In fact, companies are not only supporting them going forward, but will continue to make ANT+ devices for some time to come. Instead, ANT+ (or more technically, Garmin), has … Read More Here
Apple Fitness+ and Strava Integration, and New Fitness+ Features
Like clockwork, Apple has once again announced a pile of Apple Fitness+ features the first week of January. Fitness+ being Apple’s subscription fitness platform that has trainers performing workouts in a variety of sports. And, with this update the specific … Read More Here
Christmas Tree By Cargo Bike 2024 (Mallorca Edition!)
What, you thought just because we moved from Amsterdam to a Mediterranean island that we’d stop our decade-long Christmas tree-by-bike tradition? Nope, not a chance! After all, one of the most important things I packed up in the moving … Read More Here
FIT File: The Watch We Weren’t “Allowed” To Review
For those not subscribed to the FIT File (it’s free!) via your regular podcast app or on YouTube, here’s a quick post with the highlights from the most recent episode. In this episode, we chat about the Wahoo’s new … Read More Here
Week in Review – December 21st, 2024
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
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
The 2024 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
So it’s the end of the year, and I had semi-promised last year to actually update this list at least once a year. Thus, I’m checking that box. As I always note though, I’m not a person of change. At … Read More Here
DC Rainmaker Cave Winter Open House 2024 Photo Recap!
It was time for the last DC Rainmaker Open House in Amsterdam, and the event certainly didn’t disappoint! It was the largest one to date, squeaking in everyone we could within the roughly 200-person limit we have for the DCR … Read More Here
Week in Review – December 15th, 2024
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
Wahoo Releases KICKR Desk V2: Here’s What’s New
It’s been 9 years since Wahoo changed indoor cycling with the Wahoo KICKR Desk, Wahoo has seemingly quietly announced the introduction of a new version of its KICKR Desk, aptly named KICKR Desk V2. This new version offers minor updates … Read More Here
Zwift Expands Virtual Shifting Compatibility: Elite Direto XR, JetBlack VOLT V2, Decathlon D100
Zwift has announced an expansion of compatibility for the Zwift Cog and virtual shifting for three additional trainers today, which are: – Elite Direto XR – JetBlack Volt V2 – Decathlon’s Van Rysel D100 In the case of all three, … Read More Here
The Massive 2024 Sportswatch Year in Review with DesFit
It’s December – and you know what that means: It’s time for the annual (and sprawling) – Sportswatch Year in Review video! This marks half a decade in a row of this annual video, where Des of DesFit, and … Read More Here
Wahoo ACE Cycling GPS In-Depth Review: The Best or Unbaked?
After years of waiting, we’ve finally got a new Wahoo cycling GPS – and it’s a beast. At least, in terms of size and weight. And in the future, Wahoo also hopes in terms of features and position in … Read More Here
The Massive Black Friday Sports Tech Deals List!
I’ve organized all the best sports technology deals below in the tables by category. I’ll be updating them throughout November & December. Keep in mind not all deals last (especially over Black Friday weekend when Amazon themselves will briefly … Read More Here
Strava’s Big Changes Aim To Kill Off Apps
Yesterday Strava sent out an e-mail to users, outlining a change that’s occurring almost immediately, regarding 3rd party apps and the way apps are allowed to access and process data from Strava. All of these changes impact what is … Read More Here
JetBlack Victory $399 Smart Trainer In-Depth Review: The Best Option?
When the JetBlack Victory was announced this past summer, it sent waves through the smart trainer industry. In one shot, it pretty much knee-capped all of the existing sub-$1,000 trainers, if not most of those above it too. After all, … Read More Here
Xert, FasCat, Join.CC: Zwift Integration Has Arrived (& TrainerRoad teased)
Today Zwift announced a new expansion that includes a throwback to the days of the original Jarvis Island, the very first ~5km route where Zwift began. Though, this new road expansion adds that original pavement plus 6 new routes, including … Read More Here
Week in Review – November 10th, 2024
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