Heads up!!! Here’s your massive Cyber Monday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $619, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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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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.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 DesFit, 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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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
Race Plan for 2012:
DC Rock and Roll Marathon or Half marathon in March.
Have baby in April…Try not to get too fat and play it by ear.
Mercedes 1/2 Marathon in February. Boston in April (A race). Rocket City Marathon in December. A few sprints from May – July then the biggy; Augusta 70.3. This’ll be my first 1/2 IM so the goal is to make it to the finish. Add in some century rides and call it a year.
Neither heat nor humidity is a problem in Oceanside. Ever. Still have to deal with long bike rides in winter.
I’m in my base training for the Oceanside 70.3, my first ‘A’ race of 2012. Lots of long Pendleton rides up and down the coast during the winter to keep me off my butt. Looking for a couple of running races to get the race juices flowing before then!
Ray — I know you’ve done the Rumpass in Bumpass a few times. Do you know when (if?) it usually sells out?
Thanks.
Spring DINO trial run series in IN.
Rev3 Knoxville 70.3 May 6th – A race
EPIC 150 in Vegas May 19th – for fun, wish I could get in the 250
Ironman Lake Placid July 22nd – A race
Multiple sprint for fun mixed throughout season.
First year of Triathlons…
Desert Tri Spring in March “C”
Vineman 70.3 in July – sold out in 3 hrs! “B”
IMAZ in November – if I can get a spot! “A”
Prolly a fall Marathon and maybe a Spring one and some shorter stuff too, I also need an Olympic Tri
Ray – I’m just starting out in the running thing, and stumbled on your blog while researching Garmin 210s (thanks for the great review BTW.)
I’m just starting my 2012 plan, but it will progress from a mix of 5Ks (bal of 2011 and 01/12), 10Ks (Feb-Jun), leading to three half-marathon goals (maybe a 4th): San Francisco (Jul), Disneyland (Aug), and Rock’n’Roll: San Jose.
BTW, the link for “where to find races” leads to your 2011 schedule post…
Thanks for the great blog…
I made the mistake last year of having too many A-level events (3 within two months – yes, I know). Never again! I intentionally took this whole year off from A races just to recover from that!
I love this site, thanks for giving so much back to the community.
I turned into a running freak this year and knocked out 7 – 1/2 marathons with Vegas ending out the year. I got into tris this year and did two sprints but really want to extend that to longer distances next year. Currently have 7 1/2s scheduled for next year but wont try and PR them all as some will be just for fun. My A race(s) is Xterra up here in WA and perhaps Augusta 70.3 in the fall.