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.
Apple Watch Series 4: Sports & Fitness In-Depth Review
Everything you ever wanted to know about using the Apple Watch Series 4 for sport and fitness. From GPS accuracy tests to pushing the limits of the new optical HR sensor…and plenty more. Read More Here
Hands-on: Zwift’s New York City Course is Now Available
After bits of teasing since earlier this summer, the Zwift New York City course is finally here. And, it’s nothing like what you expected. Well, unless you expected flying cars, levitating translucent roadways, and buses dangling from glowing blue railway … Read More Here
Hands-on: Skydio’s R1 Sports Drone Gets Apple Watch Control
I don’t usually cover the slew of app announcements for the Apple Watch – but this one is definitely different, and, if you’re looking to get cool action video of yourself – then this is also unique. As of today, … Read More Here
5 Random Things From A Week in Cancun
After a busy week up in Banff at the ANT+ Symposium I traded a foot of snow for steaming hot…weather…with The Girl. We’d long been looking forward to this trip, as it’d be the first week away from the kiddos … Read More Here
Week in Review–October 14th, 2018
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
Kona Bike Count 2018 Power Meter Analysis
Once again, it’s time for the big dance that is Kona. Or more technically – the Ironman World Championships. It’s when the fastest long-course triathletes in the world gather on a small island to collectively consume more electrolyte-filled drinks and … Read More Here
Tech Tidbits: Polar Vantage Updates, Strava sorta removes ads, PowerTap P2 pedals
There’s been a handful of non-headliner tech tidbits this week in the world of sports tech that are worthwhile mentioning and chatting about. Of course, given this is Friday, the post length is required to be short. Apparently people have … Read More Here
Garmin Instinct GPS Watch In-Depth Review
When it comes to looks, you’re either going to love or hate the new Garmin Instinct watch. There’s not likely to be much middle ground. If you like the looks of Casio watches, you’ll probably be pretty excited about this … 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 2018 Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
It’s that time of year again – the “Swim/Bike/Run Gear I use List!”. Well, ok, it was that time of year like 3 years ago. Thankfully as part of The Girl’s new duties, she prodded me enough to get my … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Past Week in Banff
The above has been my playground…err..work spot, for the last week. Of course as you saw this weekend in my ANT+ Symposium post I’ve been up in Banff, Canada (within the province of Alberta) for the annual sports technology conference. … Read More Here
My 2018 State of Sports Technology Keynote Video
It’s that time of year again – my annual state of sports technology presentation at the ANT Wireless Symposium. This year marks the 8th year that I’ve given such a presentation at the event, which includes the vast majority of … Read More Here
Spotify Now Available on Garmin: Everything you need to know
For the last two months I’ve been happily listening to music while I’m running. And finally, now you can too. It wasn’t that I couldn’t listen to music before that point. Certainly I had plenty of devices that supported music … Read More Here
The 5th Annual DCR Open House (Amsterdam Edition): December 1st, 2018
It’s that time of year again! Time for you to start planning your trek to the 5th annual DCR Cave Open House! Yup, it’s gonna be the fifth open house already – how time flies! Here were the first, second, … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
An in between weekend – that’s what this was. I’ve been home the last week after my Interbike and such trips the week before. But come the end of the weekend it was back on a plane and across the … Read More Here
Week in Review–Sept 29th, 2018
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
DC Rainmaker Cycling Kits (Finally) Now Available!
Woot – finally, they’re here! Well, mostly here. You can order them, which makes them virtually here: The DC Rainmaker Cycling Kits! (Update: Initial ordering period has closed, but we ordered a small pile of extras which you can pickup … Read More Here
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