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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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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
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!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
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?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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: Giveaway
Garmin Forerunner 610 Giveaway Results!
Thanks all for the great entries in the FR610 giveaway. There’s literally over 1,600 great egg related and training stories in there. Everything from stories of kids forgetting to hard boil the eggs before coloring and then hiding them (and … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 610 Giveaway
You know that new Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS-enabled touch screen watch that was just announced last week? Well, I’ve got one to giveaway to you – all my best buds!And the best thing is you’ve got nothing more to do … Read More Here
Forerunner 310XT Giveaway Winner!
Thanks all for the awesome entries in the FR310XT giveaway. There’s literally over a thousand hilarious stories in there. Everything from folks running over into a canal while watching ‘cute girls’, to endless cycling dismount failures, to quality time spent … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 310XT Giveaway
Because it’s almost Cherry Blossom time here in DC (one more week!). Because you’re probably contemplating getting back outdoors for workouts (except you lucky fools in Hawaii, you don’t count). Because it’s pretty…and maybe just a little bit because you … Read More Here
Boston Marathon Entry Giveaway Results!
Thanks to everyone that qualified and entered in the Boston Marathon Entry Giveaway. It was pretty cool to read all of the stories in there! I know there’s a lot of deserving folks out there, including ones like this: Or … Read More Here
Did you qualify for the Boston Marathon and miss out on registration? Here’s a free entry for ya…
I was approached yesterday by the folks from Salonpas to giveaway a Boston Marathon registration slot to anyone who wanted it (including yours truly). Yup – you heard that right: A pre-paid entry slot to the Boston Marathon. Given I’ve … Read More Here
Giveaway Results!
Thanks all for patience in the giveaway results! Being the busy weekend, things pretty much just got packed (like the wedding invites). Sorry! But fear not…after 1,500 folks entered (representing over 2,200 entries!) and a lot of time sifting through … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 310XT Giveaway–January 2011!
Because it’s Friday. Because my bike finally arrived at my hotel in the country of Jordan three days after I did (though, my luggage…not so much). And because most importantly – the bike arrived in one happy piece. Thus, so … Read More Here
Swimsense, FR410, Garmin Connect & Bing, and Giveaway Results….oh my!
[Note: If you’re looking for my In Depth Swimsense Review – you’ll want to mosey on over there.] I’ve got just a few minutes before my flight takes off, so before they get into the final boarding calls I wanted … Read More Here
The Elusive Wahoo Fitness iPhone ANT+ Bike Case Giveaway
As of today, you can’t get the Wahoo Fitness ANT+ Bike Case. Well, can’t legally get them without breaking into either my house or the Wahoo Fitness headquarters at an ‘undisclosed location’. Otherwise, they aren’t available till January. But I … Read More Here
November Forerunner 210 Giveaway
Over the last week or so I’ve been testing out the Forerunner 210 GPS running watch, which is brand spankin’ new and just released in time for the Holidays. I’ve been so happy with it to date, that I’ve decided … Read More Here
Timex Global Trainer Giveaway Results!
Thanks everyone for entering the giveaway! Apparently quite a few want a new Timex Global Trainer! That said there were just over 900 entries after accounting for ways to double-up, into the giveaway, and another bunch from Active Duty folks. … Read More Here
October Timex Global Trainer Giveaway
There’s no better way to kick the fall running season into high gear than giving something away. So in an effort to mix things up a little bit, this month I’m going to giveaway a brand new Timex Global Trainer … Read More Here
September Garmin 310XT Giveaway Results!
Thanks everyone for entering the giveaway! Sorry for the delay, I was up rather late last night…err…this morning with work, and then back again before sunrise. So things got a bit delayed. That said there were just under 900 individual … Read More Here
September Garmin Forerunner 310XT Giveaway
With summer essentially ‘over’, and only one long weekend worth of it left (well, for those in the US anyway) – I feel like I need to add a bit of excitement back into your summer sails.Given the fall running … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 310XT Giveaway Results!
This has been the biggest giveaway around these parts thus far! Over 1,024 individual comment entries into the giveaway, and another bunch from Active Duty folks. That’s a lot of peeps! I then took all the entries and sorted through … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 310XT Giveaway
Can you believe it’s August already? You know what that means? Well, not a whole lot really…except that we’re now simply one month closer to the end of summer. :( So in an effort to counteract that – I’m going … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 110 Giveaway Results
Well, after a LOT of Excel copy/pasting/data cleanup, and even more actual scissor cutting, we have a winner! Some 460+ unique entries in the giveaway, making it the biggest one thus far! And, if you’re ever short on wanting to … Read More Here
Garmin Forerunner 110 Giveaway
I think it’s that time of the month again.The time to give something away.Well, ok, giving away stuff could occur anytime of the month – but I’ve got good reason to give stuff away this time of the month.My little … Read More Here
Withings WiFi Scale Giveaway Results
Wow…holy cow – there were 323 entries into the giveaway contest in the last seven days for the Withings WiFi Scale. Which is just simply incredible! I definitely appreciate all the comments made, especially the ones about the blog! When … Read More Here
Withings WiFi Scale Giveaway
I haven’t done a giveaway on the blog yet up until this point mostly because I’m sorta selective. I want giveaways to be big, meaningful and useful to ya’ll. Oh, and kick-ass. None of this half-eaten gel pack that I … Read More Here