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.
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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.
Tag Archives: Cycling
A relaxing weekend
This weekend I decided to lie low a bit. The last few weekends (ok..more than a few) have been so jam packed that I barely had time to breath. With the next few weekends returning to the same (race, family … Read More Here
Ironman…or Rocketman?
Given that Ironman Canada has a few rather lengthy and steep hills, I’ve decided that some of my previously highlighted bikes won’t quite do the job. Instead… I plan to invest in a bike that does a much better job … Read More Here
Yogi!
In many ways, my weekends are somewhat predictable. Run, Swim, Laze Around, Sleep, Bike, Run. Repeat. But, I try and mix things up as much as possible to keep the routine from becoming stagnant. Saturday: I met up with the … Read More Here
Podium Quest Aero Bottle Review
So I already had an aero bottle – why on earth should I get a new one? Well, because my coach said so. And to be fair, I didn’t exactly like my existing one. My previous one dumped out half … Read More Here
Faux Race
This weekend was a solid mix of different stuff, not overwhelmingly busy – but just good-type busy.Saturday:At 6:53AM I was laying in bed deciding whether or not I wanted to join up with the running group to do loops around … Read More Here
Proving that we still have a lot to learn
A bit back I stumbled on this post by Joe Friel’s Blog. Essentially Joe is the god of all things when it comes to triathlon training (and to a large degree running/cycling). While all of his posts are awesome from … Read More Here
Shenandoah Squirrel Showdown
Alternate titles: “My new girl is bi”*, “Sorry Mr. Squirrel”, “Rainmaker: 1, Squirrel: 0”….So my Sunday ride started more or less like any other. I got up at the asscrack of dawn (literally, before dawn) and jetted out to Skyline … Read More Here
Blue Angels, Blue Suits*, Blue Ridge Mountains
This weekend was both busy and relaxing at the same time. Just depended on which day you were looking at. As we left off on Friday, I had finished up the Bike to Work with the bagel, and then biked … Read More Here
Bike to work with a bagel day
Yesterday was the last day of National Bike to Work Week, and many cities were making it the official “Bike to Work Day” – including the Washington DC metro area.As noted earlier in the week I had planned to partake … Read More Here
The tire that just keeps on truckin’
Last summer and fall I was having the mother of all issues with flat tires. I was flatting about once every 10 days. Seriously. ONCE every 10 days, sometimes more. The good news is I got damn good at changing … Read More Here
How a long bike ride should be
Over the last few weeks I’ve been kinda bummed about some of my long rides. While I was getting in the distance – my performance wasn’t exactly where I wanted it (or needed it to be). Some of it can … Read More Here
Trust the Fork
I think my weekends are getting busier. And not just from training – but life in general. I’m not sure at what point combustion will occur, but I’ll let ya know if it happens. Friday: The Washington National’s moved from … Read More Here
Tomorrow: Shower with your helmet day
There are certain days every year that are well celebrated by the masses. Christmas, New Year’s and Independence day come to mind (and many religions/countries have variants of those major ones). Then there are those holidays that are still well … Read More Here
New bike sure to ‘get you lots of girls’
When I’m searching for a new product I try to focus on whether or not it will meet my needs across a number of requirements. Generally those requirements are specific to the vertical application associated with the product I’m buying. … Read More Here
Busy Busy Bumble Bee
Today was nothing short of long. Not quite exhausting though – just tiring. So much stuff packed into so little time. Up at 5:35AM to catch a 6:55AM flight from Reagan National Airport to Atlanta. The cool part about DCA … Read More Here
Pain, Noodles, Less Pain, Bike Bunnies
I semi-intended on writing a blog post up Friday afternoon about one thing. And then I planned to do it Friday night. And then Saturday I had a different one planned, and then I realized I spent every waking second … Read More Here
Whirlwind Weekend Wrapup
I knew going into this weekend that things were going to get interesting….and busy. But that’s all good – I like being busy.Day Before SaturdayBut my weekend really started on Friday morning… with my first technique session with the new … Read More Here
Bike, Work, Bike, Bike Again, Run, Jump
Tis the story of my day. For some reason, I rarely think through how it will all fit together – until after I do it. I just simply take one item at a time and then deal with the next … Read More Here
Running in the rain
The training continues on. Just under three weeks left till the first race of the year and things are coming together fairly nicely. I was somewhat worried just 3-4 short weeks ago as my knee was seemingly off in it’s … Read More Here
The Cycle of Running
There are those ideas that are technologically impressive and useful – like the dimples on aero wheels to make you faster. And then there are those ideas that you can do nothing more than shake your head at. The following … Read More Here
Weekend Wrap-up
For the first time since last fall, I was finally able to complete a full week’s worth of ‘normal’ workouts without worrying about injury – nor paying for it later with an annoyed knee. While it certainly wasn’t a super-heavy … Read More Here
The Trifecta
Yesterday was a busy-bee day here in Seattle. I had three sports planned, plus a full day of work sandwiched in between.It started off with a hour long bike ride out to Alki point and back (from downtown along the … Read More Here
A drafty feeling
So as a amateur triathlete not competing in draft-legal racing I have as much use for drafting as the draft out of my rear end. Which over time is a bit of a pickle I’ve decided. See, from a training … Read More Here
Brickman
After yesterday’s brickage – I am the brickman. Well…technically these dudes down in Texas are the brickman, but I certainly feel like I could be the brickman. Yesterday’s swim, ride & run was the first time I’ve done three sports … Read More Here
Tri State Ride (aka: A Cold 55 Miles)
Today’s weather was looking much more promising than last week’s Saturday ride. The weather had peaked a bit above freezing a few times over the course of the week, melting off any snow on the pavement. And there hadn’t been … Read More Here