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.
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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 2024 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: Random
The Womens!
Here’s your random TGIF video. I went on a bit of a TGIF video vacation. But I have a stock pile again and will occasionally post them for fun. While I only rarely visit Slowtwitch, this video is pretty hilarious. … Read More Here
Never shop on an empty stomach
Note, my list only has 5 ‘true’ items on it. It has three others that are inked in on every piece of paper (it was a free shopping list magnetic notepad at some grocery store years back). My total items … 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
The Squirrels are out to get me
This weekend was chalk full of stuff. Let’s begin where all weekends begin…SaturdayA few weeks prior a local race director/triathlete (really good one) had e-mailed me asking if I wanted either into either the National Marathon or a local sprint … Read More Here
Running: Love or hate?
I saw this last night on TV, pretty cool ad from New Balance. Exactly how I feel sometimes.Btw…officially the shortest post EVAH from me.
Inpatient, patient or persistent? How to find event photos before the event posts them
So I’m antsy – I want to see my race photos from Saturday. But, the folks at Ironman California (well, technically ASI photography) aren’t so quick. However, being a bit of a computer dude, I figured I’d trace through how … Read More Here
How to properly recover after a Half-Ironman
So after Saturday’s Half-Ironman race I decided that there was only one way to recover: Step 1: Depart (limping) finish area 90 minutes after completing race Step 2: Race to the airport 80 miles away (via car, not biking/running or … Read More Here
Blame Canada – Canadian Blogger Infiltrates DCRainmaker grounds
A few weeks back Canadian* blogger Bruno from 70.3Challenge e-mailed me to let me know he’s going to be in town. I immediately jumped at the opportunity to take an ‘out of towner’ on a whirlwind tour of the city. … Read More Here
Are you in the lost and found bin?
We’ve all eagerly awaited for our race-day photos to appear on the photographing companies web site. Sometimes we get awesome shots, most times we get unflattering shots…and then sometimes we’re missing in action. You then ask yourself: How could they … 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
Sausage Fest!
It was time. It was time for a collection of the male species to gather and fest. This could only be done properly in the company of over 25 sausages. We’re talkin’ about tasty, juicy, thick and plump ones. Ya … 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
Lucky Number Slevin
So I was tagged by Ironmatron back last week to share seven random things about myself. Here’s my seven pieces of random information that you likely didn’t know. I ran x-country my freshman year of high school. And then didn’t … Read More Here
Four Mile Run Master Plan (or: How to spend $350 million dollars)
If ya live in the DC area, then this post is aimed at you. If not…well..ok. Many of you are likely familiar with – and probably even occasionally use Four Mile Run. It’s that semi-functional trail that in theory connects … Read More Here
The Greatest Store on Earth
No not Ikea. Not your local LBS. Not REI. It’s Costco. Cause where else can you buy a massive gazebo, a pair of jeans and a full uncut beef tenderloin all in the same place? My day was basically a … Read More Here
Voted off the island!
Ha! Awesome! I was watching tonight’s Survivor – more out of interest after my trip to Palau over the holiday break than the show itself. We had been told that the tribal council area was at a place near where … Read More Here
Did ya miss recording Ironman Hawaii (Kona)?
Well the TV gods have granted you a second chance. Think you can handle getting Mr. Tivo all working this time before the big day? If you choose to accept this challenge, then tune your Tivo’s to: February 16th, 2008 … Read More Here
Chicago Marathon Folks: Watch out for running balls!
So today is the big day if you’re planning on signing up for the Chicago Marathon. Registration started at midnight this morning (CST timezone) for the 31st running of the Chicago Marathon. Today’s TGIF post brings you a reminder to … Read More Here
Box o Swim Stuff
Despite both DHL and USPS’s best attempts to keep me from getting my box of stuff, I have succeeded in taking ownership of it. (Side Note: If I pay for DHL shipping, I don’t want DHL to hand it over … Read More Here
Any problem can be solved with a hacksaw
It’s generally an awesome day when I can solve a computer issue with a hacksaw. It’s a super-awesome day when the device still actually works after the utilization of aforementioned cutting paraphernalia. I had to use a hacksaw because some … Read More Here
Running it all off
There are certain times of the year where running with less is better. For example – 100* in the summer – the less you wear, the more comfortable you are (at least me). Running along a sandy beach – perhaps … Read More Here
Getting a speeding ticket while riding a bike
In case there wasn’t any doubt already – I present you with further evidence that Virginia’s lawmakers are quite simply dumb. And if you visit the site to read the full story – you can even watch a nifty video. … Read More Here
How to be like Gumby: Competition Style
In this week’s rendition of TGIF stuffs, we return to video to drive home the importance of proper stretching and flexibility. Of course, I’m probably one of the worst offenders when it comes to stretching. I generally do the only … Read More Here
Supersize Me
A few weeks ago my brother, dad and I were at Target in the toy aisle having all sorts of fun with the various kids toys when I stumbled upon a rather interesting toy set (side note: We were shopping … Read More Here