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: Ironman Canada
After 30 years, Ironman Canada ends –Challenge Penticton it becomes…or not?
Earlier today, the city of Penticton along with the Challenge Family announced that next August, there will now be a single iron-distance race called ‘Challenge Penticton’, at the same time which Ironman Canada has been for the past 30 years … Read More Here
The week…in pictures
Now that I’m back in DC I figured I’d post a bunch of interesting pictures that didn’t make it into any particular previous post. Above: On the drive up to Penticton at a gas station near the border Below: Medals … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2009 Race Report
The morning started much like any other race morning. I managed to get about 6-7 hours of sleep, which was a pretty good amount considering everything. So when the alarms went off I was pretty much ready to go. However, … Read More Here
Ironman Canada…return of the Rainmaker
Well, I did indeed finish Ironman Canada yesterday. It was a rough second half of the day. The first half went fairly well, but the run was pretty brutal in the 95*F heat. I PR’d in all three sports (and … Read More Here
Ready to start!
I think I’m all set. Here’s the quick picture tour: I went to the athletes banquet last night: And then the subsequent officials briefing for the rules. After which I walked across the street back to the hotel, but I … Read More Here
Ironman Canada – Underwear Run
Well, technically it’s called the ‘Underpants Run’, but – essentially all the same. For those of you who’ve been around the block a while on this blog, you might remember I stumbled into the back of this last year during … Read More Here
A special message from The Girl
Yesterday after getting home from work, The Girl had a little present all wrapped up for me. After I delicately opened (read: tore open without regard) the carefully wrapped package, I found myself a new t-shirt – designed and imported … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – The day after
Ok, final post in what will have been a week’s worth of IMC2008 related stuffola. And then you’re IMC free until next year. For fun I wanted to do a quick recap to cover all of the the things you … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – When the clock strikes midnight
I think there are two points in the day that truly define an Ironman event. The first is at 7:00AM – when the masses churn through the water in a display that rivals the opening ceremonies. It’s one of the … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 Race Report
(My brother in the 5AM hour writing in chalk on the run course) Before I get started, in case ya missed it, here’s the days leading up to Ironman Canada, covering all of the pre-race action: Day 1, Day 2, … Read More Here
Rainmaker…you are an Ironman
More details later, but without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. The deets: Swim: 1:06:43 T1: 2:53 Bike: 5:29:12 *Note: One less happy 6-y.o. who T-boned on his bike against my bike at mile 110 … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – Day 3
The peach. This is where it all begins, and all ends. Four times to be precise. You leave the beach behind the peach above on the swim and you see it again during T1. You go out for a casual … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – Day 2
This is my second day up here, after arriving yesterday. As I mentioned yesterday – my goal is to streamline these posts, so I’ll try and keep it word-short, but mostly pictures. I’ll post again tomorrow for the last time … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – Day 1
Well, after two days of travel – I have succeeded in arriving at the site of Ironman Canada. In an effort to streamline this, I’ll try and keep it word-short, but mostly pictures. My plan is to post each of … Read More Here
Big Brickin’
As usually happens, the week before a race is filled with short – but high intensity bricks. During the 7 days leading up to IMC, I’ll be doing 4 different bricks of varying lengths. While I do bricks every week … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – Registration Complete
It’s now official. I just finished plunking down the $490US for Ironman Canada 2008. I think I did save $2 for the “Active Advantage”, which I’m pretty sure is officially a huge waste money (the Active Advantage thing). You know … Read More Here
Ironman 2008 registration slumber party
As midnight approached I decided to go stake out my ground. I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. Would the line be hundreds of people long, or just a few? Turns out, it’s roughly 30 cars, a few dozen tents, … Read More Here
T minus 365 days
In mid-July I realized that if I really wanted to do an Ironman at any point in the next 12-18 months I’d better signup for one. With IM CDA filling up in a matter of days, and other major races … Read More Here