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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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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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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.
good luck on the run in the heat.
i love your printed off map for the ride, i’m surprised you don’t have them laminated so they don’t absorb sweat/water/sports drink…i’m sure that will happen shortly!
What is your HR when you’re taking pics? you should identify those points on the HR graphs and make sure you stay in your zone!
another solid ride in the bag – a bear tops 2 dead squirrels and a bunny any day!
good job and that was impressive IM Canada better watch out I did a 90minute run today and it was hottttttt
Nice job, as always I am sure you’re looking forward to that taper!
Great training report. By any chance did you get to pet Boo-Boo? : )
Wow, I can’t believe how close you got to that bear! But I’m sure you could have out-biked it if you had to. In fact, what’s a little extra speed work on top of a ride that was already 42 min faster than predicted? Great job!
What? Mr. Tech using paper maps? (Gasp and Shock)
When passing your rabbit you should have told him is saddle is too low ;-) That would give him something to think about when you are spinning away in the distance.
You’ll definitely have to give me some good ride ideas over at Skyline Drive as I get into my serious training for Lake Placid next year. Good luck to the girl this weekend at Luray :)
Nice post and pics! I remember staying at “Jellystone” parks when I was a kid!! As long as they had a pool I was set!
That bear was crazy! Not much to protect you in your riding gear! lol
We have a Jellystone Campground on the outskirts of the Smokies but we’ve been cheated, no cement Yogi and a picnic basket hanging around!
Great ride and bouble bonus points: beating your schedule AND definitively passing another rider!
Did you survive your run last night. I chose to look at yesterdays weather as a perfect treadmill day.
Wow…nice speedy ride! I need to figure out how to take pictures while riding. I’m impressed that you managed a shot of the bear!
You have more bear sightings than any cyclist I know – and most runners, too.
I remember those Yogi Bear campgrounds – my sister and I would always scream to stay in one whenever our family traveled, but we always had to stay in the dang KOA. I’m still kind of bitter about it.
Good luck to the girl this weekend!
Jellystone parks are HUGE out here in Indiana. Totally lame.
Maybe you should laminate your map next time? Or at least cover it in some tape.
You totally blew the doors off the barn on that ride! I love it when I can pass other riders and they cannot keep up. I love it even better when they are men and try to pass me and I only end up passing them again.
You win on the bear sighting. I got to see lots of other critters, but no bears in Colorado.
Do you have a magic trick for attracting bears? 3 times now I’ve been to Skyline and best I get is a few dear and a whole lotta road kill. One of these days it is going to happen…
Good to give Boo-boo a wide berth!
Wow, you’ll really blow the doors off when you’re tapered.
Awesome ride! I totally envy your scenic rides! I don’t have much like that close to me…the roads we do have along a nice river are beat to hell.
that is AWESOME! if i see a bear while i’m climbing at 3 mph, what’s your advice?
Jellystone parks rock! We used to BEG to stay there as kids (with no luck). You are obviously just getting OLD. :)