Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. Full list & thoughts 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:
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/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!
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 2024 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.
Organize a triathlon
Weather is wet, will be running instead of cycling!
Nice 35 miles yesterday. Today I’m eating mostly
24k Trail race around the Jonkershoek mountains outside Cape Town. Great views, tough day out.
Just a smooth 5K on saturday and a tempo run on sunday morning + 10K on the afternoon.
Trying to fit some exercise around night shift!
Will be hitting the pool over the weekend to begin the long awaited Summer training :)
It’s a bit chilly here, but I’m hoping to sneak in some cycling with the family.
BBQ brick all the way!!! Ham – Pork chops – Spare ribs …. REPEAT!!!! Always love weekends off\\\\!!!!!
Two long training runs for Chicago and a training ride!
A 20km+ long run on Sunday evening.
I’m going hiking and might do a short recovery run, if I feel like it.
Socer and basketball with the kids, some cycling and a long jog – and then cake afterwards!
TrainerRoad sessions
Nothing fancy planned for this weekend. I’m probably going for a run and then enjoy the day with family.
Hoping for a first like swim of the season + a few hills on the bike this evening
I will be doing a 10 kilometer run this afternoon
Just ran the Cursa El Masnou 5k (and PR’ed!)
Going out for a long long ride :-D
I will take my daughters to the park and run after them.
I am heading out for a bike ride this morning!
Having fractured my collarbone last weekend my activity extends as far as watching the Giro and reading lots about turbos to plan the recuperation/rebuild.
10km run and some gardening in the sun with the kids (which is another 10kms at least).
Mountain biking with buddies here in Canada … Happy Long weekend for us!
Going for a trail run in the redwoods!
Hi, I’m from India – So woke up to attend a Yoga class, then attempted a 11 am – 1Pm Run with a temperature of 40 Degree, managed to pull off a 15 K, then a scrumptious family lunch followed by a Great Nap. A nice foot massage in the evening followed by some cycling in the night to wind up the day.
A run in the nature in the morning, and a swim at the pool this afternoon.
I endorse this product and/or service
Taking the dog out for a couple strolls.
Bike ride if the weather clears up.
Had a fast (for me) and short trail run yesterday. Should a slow and long one today!
Tied off week 2 of 10K training plan with some easy cycling in Florida and a big ole’ sunburn (I never learn)!
Did two hard sessions : 1hr threshold on Saturday and 15x400m track intervals on Sunday… Because why not?
18 mile trail run on Saturday, and a 10 mile run in Sunday.
Just finished my weekend run but would love a new 935!
Laps around local reservoirs on my bike. Maybes run.
Continue recovering from a cold :(
I ran a 5k with my son yesterday, planning a long run today.
Rest for next week.
Run my heart out
Something to get me on the move again after being chained to a desk revising for exams for the last month!
Just returned from a nice 15k trail run in the surrounding woods with my brand new SSWHR.
Brooklyn Half Marathon + Gran Fondo NY
Hike and family leisure cycle in Vail/Avon.
Waking up and running 5k,
Lactic acid buffer workout: 25 x 45 seconds hard with short recoveries.
First long ride with my new cycling club
A couple short rides while I navigate the schedule of a newborn.
Went running and did spin class — now I need to try out a pool in the city I’m visiting (Madrid)
2 gym workouts while bobbing about the sea on a boat with work!
15k LSD as I’m tapering for a half marathon next weekend.
its all about lon gride and a long run
I run a 105km Trail.. le trail des pyramides noires.
Nothing big – a long run and a ride on Zwift.
Half marathon on Sunday.
Doing the usual run with some extra biking in the city.
Breaking in a new Surly Krampus build out in the woods with a good friend on Saturday and then a nice long road ride on Sunday.
Doeing some gardening :-) and a 12k run with my girlfriend
I twill have solo long ride this weekend :)
I will increase my cycling stamina with long training
It’s raining, so a trainer ride is in order. : )
20 mile bike ride yesterday and a run today. Also hiked around Hohensalzburg Castle.
Saturday : a calm 50k MTB ride, followed by a barbecue for about 50 people. Sunday : clean up after the barbecue and relax
Running and strength training
This weekend, going out and riding some climbs as well as training on zwift with my wife!
Easy jog around the neighborhood and watching the Giro.
100 with the Champ :-)
Graduation weekend – nothing fun :(
Easy run Saturday. Day off on Sunday.
I’m doing a long Run and a long bike ride in non-cooperating spring weather.
Went for a nice bike ride on Saturday and may do an easy run today.
Going out on a ride in the foothills of the Rockies, Spring has finally arrived.
Cub Scout picnic, Road ride before and park time with the kids
Real Ale Ride this weekend, cut off due to bad weather at the first rest stop. :'(
Finally doing some faster runs again after some time. Fun!
First run after three weeks of illness :-)
Did a long run with the family yesterday. Later this morning, with perfect weather, I’m out for a first ride with my new Coros Linx helmet!
After a 100km run last weekend, I’ll be happy if I can run a 10km on the park close to my house.
Another 100km on 2 weeks!
A spining class and a 6-7k run
Run commute to work!
Running and a bit more running. First 100 miler is coming quick
Going for a family swim later today.
Getting my bike tuned up and then going out for a ride around Orange County, California. A little warm, but perfect weather for a long ride.
I have a two hour sweet spot training session on the trainer planned.
Just did a 30K long run. Killed me….
Trying to find time to do a 10KM interval-split run whilst studying for workplace exams. Need to get faster before the summer heat arrives! Also my better half rode 50KM yesterday to start preparing for her first century ride!
Ran my first half-marathon race today, the Mystic Half Marathon in Mystic, CT. 1:49:21. Pretty happy with that as a 45-yr old!
I have a comminuted, displaced fracture in my right scapula after a huge crash coming back from watching the ATOC Stage 2 KOM. No athletic adventures for me this weekend other than some mild range of motion exercises every few hours.
Getting back on the bike and trying to return to a normal level of activity. This in inbetween the yardwork and watching the kids. Maybe I can get out for some hill runs too!
bike ride to ikea only i am afraid
Now that the rain has finally stopped in Vancouver BC and we have clear and sunny skies…and actually warm…getting out for a long trail run and the first post run recovery STAND UP PADDLE board in beautiful Deep Cove BC.
An hour and a half on the trainer, and an easy 6 mile run.
Running and more running!
What am I doing? Going for an early run in Golden Gate park, spraining my ankle just a little bit, recovering, trying to do something on Sunday.
Yesterday training ride with the club. Today a really short climbing TT.
A 5 mile run with the girls — my awesome wife and daughter.
90 km bike followed by a short run
A little running, a little dog walking and a LOT of yard work (cutting trees, weeding beds and planting vegetables)
Did a nice 80 mile ride yesterday. Was planning a TT for Sunday but illness has stopped me
Cycling of course :-)