Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
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
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 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.
Have a great Valentine’s day!
Thanks for everything you do! Always love reading the newsletter!
I’m sure Ray knows best what the girl love. Just share your love all the year.
I think Ray knows better what to do.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you both!
Thanks for the giveaways!!
Yes please.
Thanks for doing this! Love the newsletter! How about a pizza on the new oven for Valentine’s day?
Came here to remind him that every girl’s dream has to be a pizza oven!
Seems someone beat me to it, but I stand by it!
Whenever I fill these in, I often “joke” that I’ll spend the voucher exclusively on socks. Cos, you know, new socks are just awesome.
So for the same reason, Ray, I think you should buy your wife a mountain of new socks for valentines day.
Look up “Bakoven” and take a bottle of champagne and go and watch the sunset, come on Ray.
Just think of all the gear I could buy the mrs if I won!!!
I’m in, no suggestions for Ray though. I’m unsure about his valentines level, but mine sucks! Hope the wife forgives me…
DC Rainmaker – “Loves The Girl more than SportsTech” – the ultimate compliment
Great site!
Finishing the to-do list!!
Stellenbosch winery tour by bicycle
Great newsletter and happy valentines.
I suggest you make a feature on how I can take my girlfriend on a rpmantic training camp in a beautiful place
Do a Valentine’s week instead :)
Love the newsletter and the cool sorta hidden give away. Keep them coming.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Let Ray leave all the gadgets at home. Collect flowers, chocolate (we all love it) and a bottle of wine. Next, find a nice spot wherever you are and enjoy the sunset. Have a nice one.
Fly her to an exotic far away location – like South Africa ;-)
Happy valentine’s day!
I’m feeling the urge to recommend a pizza oven… but maybe a nice portuguese romantic dinner? Lot’s of good portuguese restaurants in SA.
Ray: more race entries for The Girl!
The best present, right?
Skip Valentine’s Day all together!
Ray – Do the right thing on Valentine’s Day!!
Have a great Valentine’s!
keep up the good work
Try Tandem parachutes as part of Valentine’s day
Here’s hoping
Nothing says “I Love You” like a nice, homemade pizza baked in in an portable pizza oven! ??
There is no St Valentin without Champagne Rose…. Can’t wait !
Happy Valentines! Have you been to the Starbucks The Bank yet? On Utrechtsestraat 9. If you guys enjoy your coffee, that could be fun. Or the Whisky Café L&B, if you like your wee dram. Personally, I could be found at Café De Dokter with my squeeze. Enjoy!
awesomeness!
Hyvää ystävänpäivää ??
Thanks for the giveaways!!
Happy Valentine’s Day to you both!
Hi! <3
DC Rainmaker AKA Ray,
With technical gadgets does play,
But it’s time for the girl,
To be given a whirl,
And push HER buttons on Valentine’s Day
Not good at Valentine’s stuff…but hope this special giveaway brings me luck , Thanks !!
Ray, gift The Girl a Pizza Oven. Near perfect valentine’s gift, for you.
I don’t have a Valentine’s this year, but great idea! :)
Did I hear “pizza oven”? :)
Happy Valentines guys…. good luck with this one Ray, there’s ALOT of expectation to live up to :-)
Have a great Valentine with your love
I’m sure Ray will think of something!
+1 for thinking Ray should get you a pizza oven!
Awesome jobs you guys do, muchos love to the Maker household! Thanks for keeping us right with gadgets and keeping us smiling with reports of your adventures.
A tandem adventure with a picnic would be on my list, but the boy is away with work, so hopefully you do it instead! Happy Valentines!
Definitely make some pizza!
Who doesn’t like a good giveaway. Good luck on this persuasive tactic!
Flowers
Apparently HiLucyLoo needs a brother or sister, so here is an idea. Or because as far as I know Ray isn’t excited about that, he can write In-depth review of yours relationship (love letter style) just for you. Fijne Valentijnsdag!
I hope I win.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
How about no wearables or tech for a day?!
Well buy her a dinner of course!
Happy Valentines Day…dinner cooked by your husband is always nice!
Hello. Thanks for keeping up the newsletter!
A romantic bike ride and picnic together!
So Ray, skip the pizza oven job list (probably nothing there that can be done in Capetown, anyway) and just do something romantic. Now I have to figure out what I’m going to do…
Yes, please. Ray, take The Girl someplace nice.
Much love from Luxembourg :-)
Happy valentine!
My wife and I don’t celebrate Valentine’s Day so I am of no use there, but regarding Spam (the canned meat product, not the annoying email), don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Heyy, happy Valentine’s Day guys
Happy Valentine
Have a Happy Valentines Day! Ray, you should make some Valentines with the kids for an hour or so. Some kid free time plus a cute Valentine for The Girl (aka the great newsletter writer).
Thanks for the giveaway.
Sign her up for another race. She seemed to have enjoyed it :)
Go classy, tulips and Belgian chocolate !
Climb table mountain
Hi, love the newsletter xx
He should bike you to the next spa area (in the urban arrow) and take the kids for the weekend. Pick you up on Monday.
Happy Valentine’s Day to you.
A cheesy (mozzarella, preferably) heart-shaped pizza from that long overdue pizza oven seems like a nice gesture!
All you need is love (and a sports gadget)
Congrats on your excellent newsletters! Keep ‘m coming please :)
Although some days he gives more, some days she gives more, try to appreciate every day what you each give to your relationship.
Happy Valentines Day
Fijne Valentijnsdag!
Surprise trip somewhere warm! Just tell the girl to pack a swimsuit and flip flops!
Get P1 and P2 to help create a card. Present the card during a nice meal together.
Bring on the chocolates !
I say break out the pizza oven!
Roses are red
The Girl is a winner
On Valentines day
Take her out for dinner!
Here’s to hoping the girl doesn’t have to bake her own Valentine’s Day treats this year.
Maybe a romantic run together?!
Love the newsletter!
Get that open water swim of the year done, and find a pearl necklace in your bag when coming up from the water!
Surely there’s no need for peer pressure
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Have a nice glass of wine together and relax!
I hope Ray won’t need our advice :)
I love lamp!
Loving the updates from South Africa. I took a trip there several years back and it was such a great experience! Mmm. Stellenbosch wine.
hello, Happy Valentines day. A baby sitter and a bottle of wine works
A night run for the two maybe?
thanks so much for this.
I don’t have any suggestions for Valentines day, I’m single, but hope you have a happy one…
Congrats to Bobbi on her return to race day form! ?♀️
Why not try the classics with a nice dinner and a romantic walk for Valentine’s day
I’m a believer in all the good food (that I don’t have to cook) for Valentine’s Day.
Sounds like a Valentine’s Day massage from Ray would be appreciated given your recovery from the race.
A classic, romantic dinner with candlelights and all.
V Day!
Pizza from the pizza oven for the win…
Happy Valentines Day! And yes, electronic shifters are awesome.. but maybe not for $4k.
Buy two gps watches of the same brand and model , but in different colors. And get a nanny so that ypu can use the watches at the same time :)
I really like the newsletter, it’s always a fun read!
As for Valentine’s Day…. I love a day at a spa with a nice Dinner at the end! ?
Yes, please, I’d love that $500. That might just be my entry into the world of power meters. Hope that Ray spoils you rotten on Valentine’s day.
Hi Ray and The Girl:
It’s complicated, as I was to suggest Ray to SURPRISE you with a dinner 100% made by him.
But if you read this, it’s not going to be a suprise :-(
Hello! Thanks for all your amazing work and interesting emails!
Hello ? Take the Girl for a Zwift?
The better half loves Baskins Robbins, so here’s hoping that a Valentine’s Day ice cream cake is a success
Happy Valentine’s Day! Hope Ray can make you a lovely dinner (or take you out to your favorite food type restaurant) – this is what I’m going to do. If I win I will give it to my wife as a B-day gift :)
Not taking the time to convince her that the new SRAM Red is a must purchase for the bike. Happy valentines day.
Love your newsletter Ms Maker, it’s a nice relief from so much tech all week long! Tell Ray I want him to do something really nice for you on the 14th like maybe, I don’t know, flowers or something!
How about purchasing a nice massage for her
Am I late to the pizza oven party?
saludos desde colombia!!! and please, give the girl whatever she wants, you’ve already got all the toys!!!
Ray should give you what every mother wants…A few hours to herself, breakfast in bed and a massage!
Roses are always a great idea!
Thanks!
After your race, sounds like a massage from Ray would make an ideal gift!
How do you get down from a horse? You don’t, you get down from a goose.
It’s cold here in Canada and your photos from South Africa were a ray of sunshine.
Love the newsletter. Here’s my suggestion, a couples massage after an afternoon of running or biking together.
Hey, I suggest you formally promise each other a good massage every time one of you get those terrible back pains!
I think I’d just recommend Ray stick to a year round policy of praise and worship for Bobbie. (especially for the whole “The Girl” thing! ?)
Happy Valentines!
You can’t go wrong with more romantic puns like that cheese grater one.
Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone!!!
It would be great to win!
Wife and I have been together about 30 years now. Our anniversary is a few weeks before the 14th, but this could also be done for 14th. We have been burning the same candle for a few hours on anniversary for 30 years now. When we look at it, and how far it’s burned, it’s a reminder of all our years together.
Happy Valentine’s day!
No grate (and great) ideas from me. Sorry! I’ll take any I can get!
Great Giveaway!
Find somewhere to watch the sunset! Thanks for the newsletter!
Looking forward to the newsletter each week.
Starting to understand my wife better seeing Ray through your eyes:D
Ray, you need to treat your lady to the most romantic running event…a champagne mile! First one to finish a mile AND a bottle of bubbly wins!
nice idea, thanks!
Get a babysitter and enjoy the day! Thanks for doing the newsletter!
A nice dinner with candles, without peanuts should be perfect
Happy Valentine’s Day ?
Good food and good wine in a nce setting. What could be better than that?
Is a turbo trainer with a giant pink bow romantic?
Love the newsletter and insight into your worldly lives! I suggest a nice give-and-take, where Ray gets his pizza oven… to make fresh homemade pizzas on demand whenever commande- err… requested!
Happy valentines day! It may depend on your tastes, but my girlfriend loves poetry, especially that which I write for her – for valentine’s day this year, I’ve collected all my works written for her, and put it in a book for her… I hope that checks the “romantic” box…..
Simple is always better when it comes to Valentine’s day. A heartfelt personal message or a song. Then take the kids out for several hours and give mom some alone time.
try one of the small wine farms near Groot Contstania or even groot Constania good for kids to play a nice family afternoon for valentines day. – short travel from C/town.
Hi, free stuff is always good.
Thanks
Maybe I could use the money to by a pizza oven, if Clever Training sold a pizza oven. That would be extra romantic.
Hello!
I can think of a couple things the wife would like to get.
Just be there for her man!
Definitely homemade pizza from the wood pellet oven ;)
Hey, Ray:
I come here for tech support; instead, I get (much deserved) reminders to do the right thing for the love of my life.
She’s right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lucy’s friend/sister/brother?
Dude, Just Do It!
count me in
Nothing quite says Valentine better than a bicycle-picnic
Homemade pizza seconded!
Can’t beat a nice meal for two and nice bottle of wine, enjoy! Happy Valentine.
Thanks for the giveaway ;)
Give the girl an entire day with nothing work related.
a run/ride with a nice lunch break :-)
Make it a family day and a Valentine couple’s evening!?
Hello from Vancouver!
The pizza oven is a great idea but include flowers.
Happy Galentines! Love the newsletter.
No suggestion for Ray, couples ride on Zwift maybe. :D
Thanks for the giveaway and for taking time to write the newsletter.
Nothing says romantic like a candle-lit trainer ride.
How about a sweeping gesture involving some sort of ♥️ themed scavenger hunt
Spend an entire screens-off day together!
Nothings bonds you better than than a long bike ride!
Nothing romantic because I am recovering for 2 surgeries.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Loving the newsletter!
What could be more romantic then a relaxed 10k followed by a picnic?
You could use the stroller to carry all the goods as Ray seems to have some practice with it ;-)
Secret comment to a secret giveaway :)
Whatever floats your goat
A cage dive together to see the sharks? You’ll have a good excuse to give each other a good hug!
Another use for your cave maybe? Alone with the Girl?
Your site is my go-to place for any questions I may have before I buy anything. Keep up the great work and thank you.
Anything be good
Visit Rotterdam. A Though and modern city. With some great option for a nice city run
You would expect the newsletter giveaway to get smaller replies than the big site giveaways, but no; The Girl is as popular as Ray himself, if not more so :)
Thanks for all your stories and who know, might win :D
Chocolate. Chocolate is always safe!
Would be a nice valentinesday gift :-)
I was hoping for some inspiration myself – Pizza oven it is!
Loving the pun picture!
Buy the pizza oven!
buy the wood fired pizza oven already!
Good thing I read the newsletter in time this week.
Thanks for your newsletter, it’s always a fun read! For Valentine’s, I always appreciate it when my other half cooks a nice meal for me (and does the dishes later!), that makes me feel pampered and is a good break from the kitchen :P
Candlelight dinner on private beach.
Pictures from South Africa are awesome! Some day a Maker Reality Show!
Now this is LOVE!!
Double kiddo bike trailer for you, Ray?
Ray, step up your game and treat your Valentine right!
You guys rock!
Love the weekly newsletter! Please keep them coming.
Surely a homemade pizza?!
Sorry, no valentines advice but I’d still love a shot at the Clever training credit!
Have a great valentine’s day.