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
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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: Random
Weekend Wrap-up
First off – Friday night I finally got my act together and registered for next year’s Nation’s Triathlon (an Olympic distance event). Given my enjoyment at this past year’s event, I added it to my schedule for next (err…this) year. … Read More Here
Scaling the differences
Why do you do this to me Mr. Scale? Why is it that at 8:20:01 AM you report X, and then I step off and back on at 8:20:10 AM and it reports Y? Nothing has happened between those two … Read More Here
Registration Reminder: “Spirit of the Marathon” movie in theatres one day only
In case you haven’t heard yet – there’s a movie about the Chicago Marathon that will be playing nationwide for just 1 night (Thursday, January 24th, 2008). You have to register via Active.com, but it’s at a ton of major … Read More Here
Boondoggle
Yesterday I went up skiing at Crystal Mountain. The snow was amazing, the foot or more (in places) of dry fluffy powder was awesome! It had snowed 6″ the night before, and 18″ in the previous 24 hours. You really … Read More Here
How to practice falling off your bike
In this week’s rendition of TGIF video’s I give you the dude who cycles on one leg. Well, one leg at a time anyway. And we’re not just talking about doing it locked in place on a trainer. Nope, that’s … Read More Here
Palau Travel Information and Logistics
As I mentioned in yesterday’s post – I wanted to do a roundup of travel related information for Palau. Information on travel to Palau is fairly sparse as I found out – so I figured anything I can add to … Read More Here
Palau: From the Air
After we had completed enough kayaking through Palau, we decided to take to the air. Our intent was to get to the island of Peleliu, which was where a large World War II battle occurred – the Battle of Peleliu. … Read More Here
Kayaking Day 3: Jellyfish Lake
After coming back a day ahead of schedule (we were cruisin’!) from our kayak camping trip, we got persuaded into going back out in the kayaks for another day (although after a good nights sleep in a real bed). It’s … Read More Here
Kayaking Day 2: Here comes the sun!
(If you’re just joining me, check out day one first) We got an early start due to being up before sunrise. We tooled around our beach area a bit, basically just wasting time. After a breakfast consisting of Pop Tarts, … Read More Here
Kayaking Day 1: For the love of all raindrops holy, please stop raining!
That’s it – I’m changing my blog name, blogger ID and everything else associated with ‘rainmaker’. Clearly it was omen. But…let’s back up a second first. So we set out this morning (well, three days ago – but you’re going … Read More Here
One Fish Two Fish, Red Fish Blue Fish
One of the major advantages of traveling in a westerly direction is that you body naturally wakes up earlier. Yesterday I was up at 6AM, right now it’s 5:30AM. After getting up at six yesterday, it was off to the … Read More Here
My warmed nuts
Yes folks – it’s not every day that someone willingly warms my nuts. But earlier today (or was that yesterday…I’ve lost track, I guess it depends on how you count the dateline and all) – I had my nuts warmed. … Read More Here
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
It’s easiest to post about things in chunks of twenty four. As in my past 24 hours, my current 24 hours and my next 24 hours. Let’s start with the present first. Current 24 hours: Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I … Read More Here
Why should you date a male triathlete?
Since I’m single – this seemed like an appropriate thing to post. I stumbled on it a few weeks back posted elsewhere; but it’s funny enough to warrant a repost. It originated from cyclists, but I think it applies better … Read More Here
You think you can run fast? Think again.
This Friday’s most excellent TGIF running/tri related video is probably one of my all time favorites. I think the music and announcers voice really makes it even better, but even by itself it’s just so darn impressive. Especially towards the … Read More Here
Snowed in
Only in DC could 1cm of snow manage to cause pandemonium. It took me just shy of two hours to get to Dulles this morning (it normally takes me 30 minutes). However, at least I’m not the captain of our … Read More Here
A Slushie in Philly
I haven’t been to an NFL game in probably 10-15 years – at least. The last one that I would have gone to would have been the Seahawks when they still played in the Kingdome. Not to say I don’t … Read More Here
Nutrition on the run
So if you read the title of this post, you probably thought you were going to get some long-winded technical explanation regarding nutrition during the run segment of a tri or a running race. But not today! Because it’s Friday, … Read More Here
Texas Tuesday
Things are just bigger in Texas. It’s as simple as that. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s bad. Since flying in Sunday night for a week’s worth of work stuffs, I’ve been experiencing all that the four mile radius around my … Read More Here
Gobble Gobble…and more Gobble Gobble
I’m stuffed. No seriously, I’ve been eating nonstop for days now. Combining my annual two week ‘rest period’ with Thanksgiving was officially a bad-bad idea. The good news though is that since I left home (DC) Tuesday night, I haven’t … Read More Here
Ironman Rhode Island 70.3
This new IM branded race was announced a few weeks back, and looks like a pretty cool one. Given all my family is up in the Connecticut/Rhode Island area, I decided to swap it out in place of the Vineman … Read More Here
Going strong at 90
Yesterday, my Grandfather (who we call Papa) turned 90! I’ve been sitting here for a good half an hour trying to figure out how to write a post about someone that’s done so many things in 90 years – and … Read More Here
A written invitation
Funny, I got this postcard in the mail the other day from my employer (which btw is not Premera). I’m not quite sure they knew the irony of it when they sent it. “Stressed? Tired? Burned out? Try exercise.” Hmm…I’m … Read More Here
Sorry Mr. Pigeon
You know how when you were a kid you’d chase the birds around in the park – but of course you’d never catch them. I always assumed it was an impossibility to catch a bird – kinda like a cat … Read More Here
Forced Vacation
“You need to take your vacation” So I was told today I need to find a way to take 120 hours of vacation time before the end of the calendar year. Further, that doesn’t include 48 hours of holidays that … Read More Here