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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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!
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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!
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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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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.
It would be intresting to hear both your thoughts on the relative difficulty in opening the shop in Paris versus had it been done in DC.
Congratulations.
Congratulations on the bakery!
Rey, can’t wait for your trainer comparison
Congratulations!! Very impressive!
Congrats to Bobbie! The bakery looks amazing and I love the fridge shop. So glad this dream is now a reality- you’re so supportive of each other, it’s fantastic to see!
I’ll be twice in Paris in the next few weeks. If I find some time between meetings, I’ll pay you a visit for a nutella cupcake!
I love the Great Wall of Butter in the fridge. How many pounds of butter did you guys pick up? By the looks of it, my guess is about 50 pounds?
Ray,
Please don’t forget to review the LeMond, been waiting for that review.
Let me know if you want to meet up for a ride, run or swim while in Joburg…
Didn´t knew that you were opening a Cupcake bakery in Paris, I really hope that it turns into a successful shop! I always read your blog for information about running gadgets and stuff, greetings from Venezuela!
Congratulations!
I will be in Paris next month. Will drop by and try-out the cupcakes!
Congratulations on the bakery opening! It looks wonderful!!
wish I could be in Paris to taste those lovely looking cupcakes. Big congratulations for the opening
Congratulations !
Really impressive!
While french say it’s really hard to create an entreprise in France, you do make one really fast.
Hope you the best.
Rarely in Paris, but next time, will make a time to visit you and buy some good cakes ^^
Will you be in Joburg until the weekend? Let me know if you want a training buddy…
Congratulations on the bakery!!
Thanks all, we appreciate the comments!
As for the Joburg questions – I’m here till Wednesday night, and would love to do a run early Weds morning (like 6-7AMish). I’m staying in the Rosemont area. Just drop a note to my e-mail – ray@dcrainmaker.com
Would love to meet up!
Congrats on the grand opening!!! How exciting! A new city, a new shop, new trails! I would be on serious sensory overload. If you ever need to test how well the cupcakes stand up to shipping, feel free to send some my way. I’ll be a tester :)
Congrats! I hope the best for both of you!
Very cool… the cupcakes look awesome. Best of luck!
the paddle looked like a pretzel
And the opening week reaction of Paris to the bakery was………
Oh, it was great! We had a lot of folks stroll by, sell cupcakes and just be curious about what was going on.
We don’t have any signs up yet (still waiting on city approval), so it takes a bit more curiosity for someone to know we’re there, but word is spreading fast!
Ray,
I used to respect your photojournelism skills and blog, but now I feel I have been lied to throughout this entire process….there is no way all those cooking supplies into that tiny car. It has obviously been photoshopped! Did you even race Ironman Canada, or was that a photoshop lie too!!! I will continue to read your blog, but now imagine you are 60 year-old retired spinster with 7 cats all named Snuggles.
Also, trainer review!!!!!!!
(Kidding, congrats on the shop and I have observed the trainer review demands on every post so I felt left out….I’m a pack animal)
Amazing! Do give us an update how the business goes, i guess it’s the same as going thru training, might be difficult at times but the reward would be fruitful ! ;)
Regards,
Jackson
Ehy Ray! Good to know u did that! I started to read your reviews 5 months ago and I’m still loving the way you do it ;) I’m going to be in Paris from 20 to 23 Oct, I’ll come and buy some great cupcakes and if you are there to know you!
Regards Alberto
Hi Alberto!
Swing by either later on the 22nd, or the 23rd and I might be around. :)
Congratulations on the Cupcakery!
The cakes look amazing and I love the website. Hope its all goes well!
I’m travelling through Paris tomorrow (on way back to to London) but don’t have time to pop down to Notre Dame to try them out.
Was also intrigued to see the Airbus image which reminded me that I designed that rather hugely branded oneworld ‘logo’ for British Airways about 13 years ago. (Helvetica in a purple circle – genius!).
Ray, I’m on vacation with my girl in Paris right now (live in Sweden) and actually saw you zip by Pompidou today at lunch on a bike :) Thought about yelling “hi”, but the internet is a funny place; I’m only a reader of your blog.
Anyways, the girl wants to visit the cupcake place tomorrow. Good luck with those cakes!
/Peter
Rayyy swinged on the 23 rd but it was closed:( very sad, couldn’t try your cupcakes and I Just came back to italy.
Oh bummer! Yeah, we closed yesterday to try and catch up on a bunch of items that were outstanding. The only day in between opening and mid-November.
Sorry!
Hey! Canadian in Paris for work for 12 days, been following your blog for years since I got the TRI bug (I am a bit of a tri-geek too, and dib in photography, so it’s a perfect match to my interests!)
I was looking forward to stop by the shop (and try one of those delicious-looking cupcakes!) but found the door closed. Out of luck, my trip is right in the middle of your big vacation around the world. Maybe next time! Keep up the good work (both of you)! Takes courage to open a business so quick after ‘adopting’ a new country.
Seems like the shop was getting some attention, in the few minutes I was there, I saw numerous people stopping by and looking in the window with interest. I take it it’s going well :)
Cheers!
Ohhh – so sorry to miss you! Will you be around in Paris much longer (you mentioned 12 days)?
We’d love to have you swing by again if you’re around when we get back.
And always good to hear folks are interested. :) We finally got all the signs installed the day before we left, and it was like a massive beacon!