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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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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?
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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.
Cool, nice hat! 7 years there and never made it to one of these – looks a lot of fun. Photos remind me that there are few better places to be than the middle of Paris on a warm summer’s night. Have a great summer!
Hi there Ray,
I just stumbled across your blog and absolutely loved your Diner en Blanc write up – well done for getting it out there so quickly after the event! I will definitely be sharing your article on my blog’s social media. I love your writing style (ie sending flaming balls of fire over heavily fabric situations – made me laugh out loud!) and the way you recapped the night with all the photos (particularly of THAT cake!).
Cheers for sharing your Diner en Blanc experience!
Nhan
http://www.myloveforparis.blogspot.com
Hey Ray,
outstanding article again. I was just curious what camera you used for the pictures, meaning taking photos of all white people at night would let my compact camera struggle a lot….
Best wishes from Germany
Jan
Thanks Jan!
I went with the Canon 7D, with a 10-22 wide angle lens. Because I had to drag a lot of other stuff, I just figured the wide angle would be more versatile. Exact details on lenses here: link to dcrainmaker.com
Cheers!
hehe nice hat! 30’s-style!
Wonderful concept – would love to see it brought to DC area. How about sharing the cake recipe?
That is so beautiful and so cool! Thank you for sharing with us! Also, that cake the Girl made looks and sounds amazing! Wish I were in Paris (for many reasons!) so I could stop by the shop!
I saw bunch of white dressed people while cycling around in Lonchamp, it was funny to see that crowd mixed with the cyclists (gave me a something to look at to pass the 15 laps boringness)
Aren’t all your reader your friends? Come on Ray – send out the invites for next year!
Unfortunately, I don’t think we’d all fit…
Looks like this was quite an event for such a great cause! Your photos are wonderful. I shared your link on my personal FB page for my French mother-in-law to see. Lovely! Thanks for sharing.
sweet to read a new post on summer in paris, so chic and so inviting :)
OMG that cake, yumm yummmmmm
“…well-wined people with the opportunity to send flaming balls of fire over heavily fabric situations…”
Perhaps my favorite Rainmaker quote ever!
Great post! At least it was only some flaming balls amongst 13,000 people as opposed to what we wield here in the US on the 4th of July with hundreds of thousands of well “brewed” people throughout the country!
Seems to be a really nice event. I think in munich is also something like this.
But one question comes to my mind. And I mean this honestly.
What to do if you need a toilet?
As I know from the “Oktoberfest or Wiesn”every year, it can be a real problem.
And here you have 13000 people on one place. And all are eating and particularly drinking.
Despite this earth-shattering question have a nice WE!
Thankfully Paris actually has a fair number of public toilets (both automated and otherwise). Also, the thousands were well spread out across different major tourist areas in the city – so there tends to be more bathrooms present.
“Thankfully Paris actually has a fair number of public toilets (both automated and otherwise).”
So it is the opposite to German cities. But nobody tries to change something either. To expensive is the normal excuse.
Wow, that looks like a lot of fun :). The cake looks particularly awesome, and I have to say, the Girl’s dress was lovely…. Currently checking my man-credentials…. I better go and watch some world cup footie I think!
Strange it never rains on Europeans when they have outdoor events.
in fact, in the 26 years they’ve had the event here, it has never rained.
I can tell you it does rain on Europeans too when they have outdoor events. Not always but sometimes.
Great write up. Looks like a wonderful party.
I guess they did not have a rule about the proper place setting of the silverware (img 5) ;)
What a great event – lot of fun by the sounds of it. What an awesome looking cake your wonderful lady made.
I would love the cake recipe too!
WOW, Amazing photos!
BTW, I loved your hat ! :-D
Beautiful pictures, great to be part of such an event! The cake looks awesome, the Girl too! Just enjoy those beautiful moments you two!
Trust the French! Looks like a blast.
“Candelabra” would be what the “giganto awesome candle thing” is!
First off, MAJOR jealous that it stays light there until almost 10:30. It’s dark here in Alabama by 8:30p. UGH. Hate living on the eastern edge of a timezone. Brings the suck.
Secondly, that looks like it was truly a blast. It’s great to see somebody not originally from the area be able to fit in and adapt to the culture around you!! Looks like Paris is a good fit for you and The Girl!
How is your French coming along?
Do the locals still treat you like an American or have they reconciled you to being a local now? :)
Do you think your travels have helped you adapt to the culture quicker?
-Paul
Hi! I found your blog after searching for Diner en Blanc Paris. We were there too! We dined on the Passerelle Debilly foot bridge. It was a magical evening. You can see my photos on my blog: link to sunkissis.blogspot.com
Elizabeth
Love the idea and would like to take part on this event, however on passing under a bridge in a cruise boat, people on the top deck were showered with food!! Not nice at all!!
Yikes. Strange, I didn’t see anyone nearby throwing anything over. :-/
Very nice and wonderful picture!