Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) 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.
Rainy weekend… Zwift to the rescue !
No workouts, golf trip with my buddies.
The plan is to recover from a cold and follow my Light Feet Running and Total Immersion training plans!
Rode a Fondo with best friend Jens. Pro-ed out.
A weekend hiking the hills of Northumberland and recovering watching the Rugby World Cup!
The plan: Friday off, Saturday 6min z4 1min z2 x 6, Sunday 2:45 Z2
The Actuality: Friday work night out, Saturday “that wasn’t a good idea” Sunday “That was a terrible idea”
1st easy run with my 4month old twins ;)
Since its now Monday I can say my training was all about avoiding the heat!!!! it was too damn hot in So Cal over the weekend!
Well, since I’m only 3 weeks out from open heart surgery, my “training plans” involved a 3.5 mile walks this weekend. But I’m all signed up for Ironman Lake Placid in 2016, so I have that to look forward to!
Saturday:
10 km running
Sunday:
15 km running
Took my fiance for her longest bike ride ever to help her prep for her first duathlon.
Yet another blerching weekend… I really need to get my sh*t together!
Sunday final race of 3 part Garmin MTB Series. Last year, after several years of sitting “on the couch”, I moved out of it. But I didn’t even dreamed, that I will be able to finish such series.
The most important aspect of training … recovery
Bit of a cool down period for me after doing the 210km round the bay in Melbourne, Australia. Nice casual weekend ride along the coast on Saturday morning will do it for me :)
Run at the Wheeling Invite, then Go down and help out at the Chicago marathon.
It’s Monday and it was a recovery weekend for me!!
10 mi uphil
Yesterday I run my first half marathon
1st ride after neck surgery. Great to get out and ride again.
This weekend was a leisurely ride down a canal after 2hrs swimming with my children!
10miles run + 20miles bike.
A mix of swimming, biking, and running. Terrific weather in DC for training outside.
A group Saturday ride aptly named “Anarchy” that I will have to cut short and hopefully a Sunday coffee ride. How about your plans?
200 k ride!!
Light run today – easy day tomorrow.
cyclocross race! gotta love cross season.
No real training. Just a fun ride with my son! Thanks :)
Had a nice run with my wife
Not training at the moment. Hitting DCR website to get motivated and spotted this. Winning it would motivate me even further.
30 minute run for me – treadmill style. You rock Ray
My plans are (were): taking on the Great River Ride in Westfield, MA (which was awesome – such foliage!), and a #coffeeneuring ride in the “quiet corner” of northeast Connecticut – both accomplished!
This past weekend i was gonna ride but had to work the whole weekend. This weekend im gonna get it no matter what, probably 30 miles sat. to end the week.
5mi trail run
I raced cat 5 cx and won.. :) Requested an upgrade and raced cat 4 and took second. Winning this would make for a great end to my weekend!!!
I am just running/biking and maintaining still no race plans deciding what to do next :)
Definitely some easy paced trail riding now that race season is over.
My plan of attack for the day is to start the AM with a large bowl of Organic Oats and berries to allow me to put 15 kms + of a trail run at Blue Mountain….still recovering from surgery 3 weeks ago but I feel great and I am happy to be alive again……Eat well and exercise often :) I gotta go run now!!!
Getting ready for the Devil Dash on Halloween!
This past weekend I finished up our states Cross Country Mountain bike race series. This next weekend will entail some longer easy pace recovery rides then back at it getting ready for cyclocross. Also I lost my Garmin 510 so a 520 would be nice!
Easy ride on the trainer while I try to get healthy again.
Swim and cycling everyday.
Went to watch friends at Louisville ironman! It was awesome. I am ready to start training do my next half ironman! Ran, swam, and core workout!
Been hitting my local bike trail
Indoor mini-tri this weekend.
just a quick ride on the MTB
My trainig plans are conquering the lakeshore of Toronto’s Harbourfront with my bike, and hiking Mount Kelso in Milton Ontario.
Boston Half Marathon!
Driving down to Florida this weekend and planning to put in some nice century rides next week. No work. Going to be great!
Logged 25 running miles this weekend. Ramping up for the NY marathon!
Walking with my Family
Estes Park, then the peak to peak highway.
I may be too late… Oops but a nice easy swim is on the agenda.
Training for Austin 70.3
Fall is finally inching towards South Florida, and the humidity and temperatures are getting bearable. So a long ride up and down Key Biscayne.
100km+ Brisbane to Gold Coast ride (Australia) to raise money for the Heart Foundation