Heads up! There’s some pretty substantial sales that just started. For watches, the Garmin Epix is down to $499, and the Fenix 7 to $449, with the Pro editions also $200 off! Meanwhile the top-end Edge 1040 cycling GPS is down to $499, and both the Edge 540 & Edge 840 are also on sale. As is Varia radar for $149. Some incredible deals, and ll the deals are here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
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:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
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.
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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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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
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.
2
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!
3
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.
4
My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment 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! It’s a nice break from the day to day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
5
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.
5k with kids across ZOO… already done!
10k alone… in progress
speed training for a 10EM race on the 12th of June and biking in between preparing for my first triathlon ever (sprint distance for starters)
i plan on running 20k on saturday
i plan on runnung 10k on sunday
First longer ride of the season
I am planning a 10K run.
I’ll race the “10.000 del Soplao” in Cantabria, Spain. It will be the first “granfondo” of the season! :)
Had some heart problem and i try to fix them slowly .
I want to do some 20 km bike ride ,30 min of pool swim and some exercise for my heart .
46km up-down course riding for saturday,
no plans for sunday.
One rowing session on saturday. And one short run around vincennes on sunday, before watching Roland Garros men’s final :-)
Lazy 20min jog with some strides at the end on Saturday because racing (20k) on Sunday!
After the disappointing race: a punishing bodyweight circuit.
Very wet weekend, so recovery light cross training on the menu.
Long and steady cycling and a little bit of running.
Long run on either Saturday or Sunday… and…bbq? cause americans will do it and now I’m jealous!
Some running and recovery swimming.
Planning on running and swimming this weekend :)
30km TT training and then spectate and support at the Luxembourg night marathon.
two runs: interval and a long one + 4 bike rides
3 days in Bialowieski Park Narodowy, cycling and running 2 weeks before the 1/4 Ironman: 60 km offroad cycling with family and friends, second day: 80 km asfatl/offroad cycling along the river Narew and then 4k run in the forrest and on the final day, as a cool down, 50+ km relaxed ride through the forrest. Keep your fingers crossed for little rain and few mosquitos.
Hey Ray,
Long run with the kid in a stroller on Sunday. Medium run on Monday – not a NATO holiday so it’ll wait ’till after work.
The weekend is over, but it seems I’m still within the deadline :-).
I did 15x200m intervals on Saturday, and an easy run of 18km on Sunday.
next workout from my Kosice Peace Marathon training plan
Still on time to win :)
On Saturday was a 5k run fallowed by a 1k swim, and, on Monday just 35km mountain biking, it was raining a lot.
Tapering for Raleigh 70.3 next weekend and trying not to go crazy in the process!
Training plans this weekend? Study for the exam so I can get back on the training programmw next weekend!! Tri training and marathon training wait for no-one!!!
Improving hill climbing in tougher terrains, combined with eating pizza afterwards :)
Battling the cold at 4:30am to get 100km done on the bike and back home before wife and kids get out of bed!
Core workouts in the morning at home and maybe a 5k in the evening.
Have to work all week, so training will be my daily commute, with interval sessions on Tuesday en Thursday
Saturday will likely be a short easy ride to keep the legs in shape for Sunday, which will consist of a 60K XCO race in Sweden. Forecast predicts 22 degrees and blue sky, gonna be just epic.
Run on the UltraBalaton (220km)
Balaton: Hungary’s bigger lake
I was sick unfortunatelly :(
Training for the Ride London July sportive, so a long (for me) 125km ride on Saturday, followed by a gentle short run on Sunday.
Did a 50+miler outdoors on a beautiful Saturday morning in Northeast U.S. Ran a 1/2 marathon race on heavy legs on Sunday. Might do an easy recovery ride on Monday. And definitely a BBQ!
Actually it was a lazy weekend – only an easy run on Sat
A fabulous weekend riding with friends on saturday to Lake Trasimeno and than having a solo ride in the country on sunday morning with my singlespeed vintage fuji.
short weekend for me as I coordinated signature sorting for the swiss BÜPF-referendum. That included some 40km of bike rides though.
This weekend was an enduro mountain bike race followed by recovery cookout festivities.
Doing 45 min easy with friends
Rest…. because the rest is a part of the training :)
Good long ride to build up the fitness. I’ve been slacking recently.
Fresh air and great ride buddies await.
so-called “big day” weekend (preparation for the Mont-Blanc Marathon) with:
– 75min. hard run on friday
– 75km 1000mD+ on saturday,
– 46km 1000mD+ run on sunday and a easy 60min. ride to finish the weekend.
–> Conclusion: I hate stairs today :-)
Did Murph last weekend, upcoming weekend crossfit / hike / mountainbike!
Running 10 miles Saturday, 20 mile ride Sunday then some plyo work Monday and 4 mile shake out.
My first 100km+ ride, from Budapest to north, along the river Danube. You know, to the direction of Szentendre!:) Cheers
Some bike riding on the mountains
Olympic Distance Triathlon as part of the Riyadh Triathlon club season on Friday, followed by slow recovery ride on Saturday!
Riding with my daughter
I moved from Chicago to Cleveland over the weekend. I’ve been just doing easy 5-7 miles a day over the weekend while I settle in. First run in Cleveland involved getting a random nosebleed (a first) two miles away from my new apartment. It’s surprisingly hard to run and breathe while holding pressure on your nose.
Nothing structured just some JRA planned.
Gonna do some intervals on the bike and try to get fitter. ;)
We also had a holiday weekend in Brazil but I worked a lot.
Waiting for a pause in the rain, then going on a group ride as my vmh is on vacation.
I really like your reviews. I also read some bits of your blog & other stuff from your site, but the reviews are just PERFECT!
În the last 3 weeks i missed two 21k contests in Romania, my country because of a cold and work travel. So, to compensate I will go to 42k next month. It will be my first 42k ever (I am 33 and ~90kg ?) so wish me luck. The training is 2 x 5k + 1 x 10-12 k per week. Also ad 60-100 km on bike if possible (one session) and 1 cross train indoors ( I bought a NordicTrack crosstrainer a couple years ago to recover from an accident, it was expensive so must use it once a week to in the summer to feel that is worthy- it gets better use I the winter).
Long walk in Amsterdam this time.
Coast ride from San Clemente, CA to Oceanside, CA and back (road bike) and then Blackstar Canyon on Monday up to Beek’s Place (mountain bike). Of course, this will be finished off with a barbecue at my house with lots of protein.
A hilly bike ride with my wife while my parents looks after the kids.As a preparation, for both us and my parents, for the upcomming xc marthon races this summer
Workout time had to be replaced with gardening! Lawn mowing and tree cutting.
Went for a bike ride with the kids
Trying for a 3 mile easy run plus Metzl’s Iron Strength Workout.
I went for 2 long hikes in the mountains plus twice some light swimming :) Plus some relaxing in the sun.
Weekend was all about uni work :-(
1 week to go…. :-D
Long weekend here so ride out to the beach for an ice cream
Today (Monday) – Working :-(
Saturday and Sunday sat on the beach celebrating my anniversary. My bride ran in the morning. I sat around drinking coffee as I injured my hamstring last week.
My training was to keep building up my mileage as I bounce back from an ITB injury from last year. Run 10km on saturday on a good 5:45min/km pace and 5km with my wife on a easy 7:00min/km pace.
Going to continue with the ADIDAS running program, Two hour run.
A few runs and extra recovery.
I was riding 300 km hilly brevet.
I am going to go on a short jog and a bike ride to the lake for some bathing. Couch potato’s triathlon flavour. :-)
Just training with the guys in the Ardennes. Training by competing. Making it very hard!
Out of town visiting family so resting and eating a lot.
On saturday I will ride on Mont Ventoux, the weather is going to be hot! On sunday I want to go for a run on the same mountain, going 8 KM up and 8 KM down!
Due to injuries I was only able to take a light bike ride on sunay morning
There will be riding in the mountains..
Riding with my team
Starting with my recovery after two monts of injury. Hoping for a painless run through the forrest.
Nice trail run in the South Tyrolean Alps – made it home just before a rainstorm!
My training plans involve starting to run again after an Achilles tendon injury. And a indoor swim.
4mi run, and according to the weather, a rip current swim.
riding a bike with my wife in climbin on hill with my son
I am going on a run. I have started running as cross training for cycling. I needed an impact sport to keep my bones strong. Also with a baby on the way, I need to fit workouts into smaller time slots.
A trail run, a (probably rainy) hike, and a pool swim.
Nice long bike ride yesterday and probably some lap swimming today. Happy Memorial Day (for the US)!
My trainings were indoor swim + 40k road bike ride. in spite of knee injury they were ok.
Hill repeats on saturday, rest on sunday. Gah.
Plans: just a combi of running, spinning and outdor biking
Start back my training after recover from my ITB, slow and low mileage on 5km for a start
Due to an injury just a light workout with some stretching is allowed :-(
With a jam-packed weekend, I’ve taken advantage of two commutes of 17.5 and 7.5km to get in two runs, first one with a bit of tempo, second one slow and easy.
Grilled up a Dry Aged Flank steak, and went for short 10km rides!
Long rail to trail run at weekend destination; bike part of the way home on Monday and get picked up by the family.
Long walk on the beach with my wife :) Bank holiday in England!
im doing a 70.3 race this weekend
8.2 trail race at the local farm, probably in the pissing rain.
Trying to get back into shape after too much downtime after the Paris Marathon but struggling with a recurrence of a hip problem so it will be light running and lots of stretching.
To get well again ;)
Lots of bike riding and cheering friends on at the Calgary Marathon!
Easy running on dirt as I’m still coming back from an injury.
Have to work on Saturday, so my daily routine of biking to work. On Sunday I’ll run the great breweries (half) marathon, trough some of Belgium’s finest breweries.
Hoping run in 40 miles between Fri-Mon.
I will be walking on the beach