Heads up! Big sports tech sales have begun! Check out the massive list of everything, from 20%-30% off all smart trainers, to $200 off the Garmin FR945 LTE & $150 off the Edge 1030 Plus. Then $240 off Garmin’s Rally power meters (including MTB edition) and $200 off the Wahoo POWRLINK Zero Speedplay power meter. Plus deals on Varia Radar, rocker plates, more watches, action cams, drones, and more. Realistically the best deals we’ll see till November. Enjoy! Full and updated list here.
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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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 GPLAMA, 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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My Paris Journey
We’re moving to Paris… tomorrow!
Yup, that’s right, we’re packing up shop and moving over to the land of …. and of chocolate macaroons! Actually, rather, we’ve already packed up shop – over three weeks ago. The stuff is slowly plodding it’s way across the Atlantic (just off the coast of Newfoundland as of tonight).
Moving into the apartment in 40 seconds
Last week, we showed you our final apartment selection with the House Hunters style series. However, getting all of our stuff into our apartment was probably even more fun.
Going to the farm and picking fresh produce!
One of the things we both really enjoy doing is going to u-pick farms and picking our own fruits and vegetables. In the past, we’ve primarily picked apples, blueberries, and strawberries. Given it’s fall (crazy, huh?), we figured it was time to go out and pick some apples.
The Beaches (Paris Plages)
Let’s make this clear up front – Paris is nowhere near a beach. The closest oceanesque body of water with sand is roughly 200 kilometers away – and the water there isn’t terribly warm either (the nice stuff is down south). So what do the Parisians do in the hot summer months (aside from close up shop and leave)? They truck in a boatload of sand and setup a beach right in the heart of Paris on the Seine.
My Paris Swim/Bike/Run Resources
Are you coming to Paris? Looking for places to swim, bike and run? Or just simply want to see where I swim/bike/run? Well, here’s the skinny on all my favorite training locations – complete with maps and downloadable routes.
Hey DC,
I’m eager to read about the RCX5. Would be sweet if you could get some info about using it together with the Polar power sensor, I have one on each of my three bikes; so much better than it’s rumor (don’t tell, I enjoy the 2nd hand prices it results in).
For instance, to be able to monitor how round you pedal, live, makes improving much easier. I was shockingly bad when starting out with the meter, around 10-15% at the lowest power compared to max during one stroke, now I can do 40-50%, when trying to make the files look good anyways.
Oops, long off-topic. But if you’ve got the chance, try it with power, and def on the bike.
Love your reviews, Cheers/P
Hi Peter-
The RCX5 is not currently planned to support the Polar power meters (either the legacy one, or the new Keo Pedal based power system). Thanks!
Sucks about the camera Ray!
What did you think of the Quassy Bike Course? I’ve heard others say it is outstanding!
Sucks about the camera Ray!
What did you think of the Quassy Bike Course? I’ve heard others say it is outstanding!
So Polar don’t think triathletes want a power meter on their bike. That’s wise Polar, great… would make a good pace tool, and they happen to make power meters themselves. Marketing folks might have figured we’ll have to buy a cycle computer also if they scrap power compatibility. I’m amazed.
Hi Ray… thanks for the post re. the Rev3 Quassy Course – would love to know what you thought of the course, as I will be riding it in anger on June 5th. In advance of that I was planning on going up and getting a feel for the course, prob next w/e. I have just ordered a Wahoo case for my iPhone 4 and have the Quassy course set as one of my Routes on MapMyFitness (aka MapMyRide). Will I be able to get audible turn-by-turn directions using this app (I couldn’t see anywhere obvious to set that up), or will I just be hitting the screen to watch the little dot move along the little line?!
I also have a 301XT so I guess I could go with downloading the route via .crs to the Garmin and using the routing capability on that, but obviously the screen/resolution/mapping on the iphone is far better.
What are your thoughts? I’d love to be able to ride the course fast without the need for stopping every 5mins to check I was on track – any advice greatly received!
Adam
Hi All-
I thought the course was great, and the vast majority of it was on quiet roads. I would highly suggest a bit of climbing if you haven’t done much, mostly in the gear changing department – ensuring you’re confortable with lots of shifting.
Adam-
I think the MapMyRide app is perfect, especially with the audible alerts, and much better than the FR310XT with dotted line. For me, if I was using the Wahoo case on this ride, it would have been absolutely perfect with the turn by turn directions.
93! Wow ! You’re papa looks way much younger. You got great genes !
Hi DC,
What is the Garmin app that you are using to track the GTU10? I can’t find it in app store.
Cheers
Andy
Hi DC,
Thanks for all the great info! Any chance you have the elevation map for Quassy?
salut rainmaker super ton site j aimerais lors de ton essai sur le polar rcx5 que tu test le gps en natation comme tu l avais fait pour le garmin voir si on arrive a avoir une trace et une distance en mer j attend avec impatience ton essai
sportivement
Thierry from Nice