Heads up! The big Garmin spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8, $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965, Forerunner 265, and countless other Garmin products. 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.
Run around near the harbor front
Easy cycling ride – rest days :)
I’m out running and trying to do it fast. I gotta get my mileage up and my times down after a rough few months.
In between ferrying the kids to all manner of matches and training I had a lovely 60 k cycle in the rain . Loving the Irish weather
No adventures, just squeezing in trainer rides between family visits and work.
Running, 5k race and a distance run. And, unfortunately, lots of time spent at work.
4 1/2 hr hilly ride, 1 hr brick run–negative split, 2 hr z2 run. So, 7 1/2 hrs of whining and crying.
Doing some long rides to prepare for the MS150.
Last long brick (run/bike) before Victoria 70.3
All weekend running with my little baby
Going for a couple of North Shore mountain bike rides as well as a long walk. Need some new gear to document my adventures!
Fri eve run – plod
Sat Tough Mudder Midlands (laugh)
Sun swim, sauna, jacuzzi then yoga sesh
Go running in gent today for their annual race through the city.
One of my favourites running races and the weather was just perfect :D
Enjoyed a weekend off and discovered a new love for Belgium beer.
Cheers
This weekend I did a short 5k run on Sunday.
Just a slower longer run in xero sandals and a tiny shakeout today.
15k interval run set on Friday
2.5k sea swim followed by a 5k easy run Saturday morning
65k bike with a quick 2k run off the bike Sunday.
Thanks Ray..
10K run…training for my first half marathon…
I had a great time pacing the NCRC Classic Half Marathon! I plan to race in the Race 13.1 Raleigh Half in two weeks so this served also as a nice long run.
Beautiful hike with my wife and dog (and Garmin) :)
10mile run on Saturday and then rest day. Marathon next weekend!
Awesome run around Chicago this weekend!
Injury hit and just smashed my watch screen. So need a new one to help with Boston qualifying 2018.
1st swim in open water today for a few years – its was fantastic
First time I managed to log training in THE three disciplines all in one week end! Swimming was great, my long run was among the fastest of the year so far, only the ride was complicated, but I managed to avoid at least three crashes over just 30k!
This weekend I’m pacing my son at his first 5k! Super excited!
Stirling Scottish Marathon
A ride on my road bike!
Race next weekend 100 kmts from Piriápolis to Punta del Este and back. Race site at: link to laetapadelgiroenuruguay.com
I went for a run in the woods inbetween the tasks at home:)
Yesterday I finished my first triathlon ever and today an easy recovery ride with our Team.
I ran 4 miles this weekend
I had my first tri of the year this morning and now I’m enjoying my couch.
Long run and maybe a nice bike ride in the sun! :)
I ran my first 1/2 marathon. It was a trail half it it just about killed me. Now it’s time to target in on that first full!
Saturday me a friend went on a long run with lots of elevation changes. Today Sunday, we have just been recovering with a lot of table tennis in the sun.
Just hiking this weekend!
Running, recovering from being sick
General Smallwood Tri
Sadly, with a broken leg I’m not being too athletic. I’ve been rebuilding my bike though in anticipation of healing….
I’m trying to complete my first half ironman.
Went trail running through the local countryside park as I build up my mileage towards my first ultra, sadly all my training is with phone and the runtastic app which isn’t ideal
90km on the TT bike followed by unloading 300kg of gravel – let’s call it strength training!
Mountain bike ride at Bottelary hills MTB conservatory and runnig around after my kids!
Long training bike and run
A nice run in the sun
Rained out where I am, so relegated to indoor work on the bike. But any day on the bike is a good day!
Saturday I ran a half marathon in lovely Ogde, UT. It was a blast!!!
Local parkrun targeting sub 22 mins on Saturday, and a long run of about 32km on Sunday.
Provided bike support at a local tri in the morning, then I went mountain biking.
Just did a 30k MTB ride.
After a nagging injury I’m finally back on both the road bike and the MTB. Hurray?
Attending a cycling race in the island of Paros.
Brick bike-run in preparation for Madison 70.3.
Ten mile trail race at South Mountain reservation on Saturday
Long bike ride at Harriman state park on Sunday
Two hours of indoor fun this morning, outdoor sports was no success due to changing weather and me hurting my knee on friday…
6hr/1hr brick session on the bike trainer and treadmill…
Zwift efondo and then some running intervals and a short race recce with my son.
Busy weekend with running, swimming and biking .. all planned.
Parkrun and digging holes and planting trees
Run 40+ miles this week… getting ready for my first marathon in less than 2 weeks now :)
Bike maintenance!
I’m doing a hilly 40 mile ride
Both days of the weekend spent working on my swimming technique in an effort to be back to speed for my Alcatraz swim!
Done parkrun with the kids, good exercise for all the family. Bit slower than I would usually do it.
Ran my 4th Gothenburg half marathon Saturday. Did not reach my sub 2 hr goal, but bettered myself by 8 minutes. Watched the kids with determination push themselves in their age classes today.
After a week of doing nothing athletic wise, Running 10 miles at a local trail and then kicking back a cold one.
Sat was road cycle for 25km
Sun was spin bick first (26km/55min) and then supoort/photographer for my son’s MTB enduro race (did 26+km walking and MTBing).
Low key weekend…easy run and easy ride. Recovery period from IM70.3 Santa Rosa!
Bike and run yesterday followed by 6 hours in the ER as my boyfriend blew out his knee playing in his rec soccer league :(
Couple of rides, maybe a run.
10k forest trail run followed by functional training
and I spent the rest of the weekend building myself a plyometric box :)
Haha your Facey link said one night and the world’s my oyster, almost so this weekend I’ll train to eat some oysters
link to youtu.be
Most probably my son and I wilk take part in an orienteering bike race. A debut for my son.
I graduated from college yesterday so my athletic adventures this weekend were limited to a fast 15 mile ride today. I did have to walk through a maze of secret service and police from the VP speaking at commencement yesterday. That could probably count as an athletic adventure too.
Nothing! At a wedding, really missed my Sunday bike ride :-(
Bike run bike, just going back in shape
No adventures for me this weekend. I chose to have a rest day Saturday and spend time with my kids all day. Today, Sunday, had to be a treadmill day because of all the rain.
30 minutes on the treadmill.
This weekend I have ridden in Lithuanian MTB marathon cup first stage and broken my chain in the middle of the second lap (of 3). :)
My plan is for a long run on Victoria Day (Canada)
Bike is fixed – out for a spin!
Just a couple of indoor trainer rides this weekend: 40 miles on Saturday and 65 miles on Sunday.
Thanks, Ray!
Indoor recovery after ACL surgery?
Going to run on Sunday to get through the excesses of a big Saturday meal!
Riding all over Hilton Head Island and surroundings.
This weekend was my B race. Phoenix Sprint Triathlon. First race on the new bike and a course I did last year! Tasted blood on the swim, puked 3 times on the bike & once in the run. Overall time was good and I ended up 9th. I then immediately went back to the lake to swim a mile for the Royal life saving society! Came 3rd! Might have even beaten Greg Whyte if I hadn’t raced immediately before! It was awesome because I knew 1/3 of the people there from the tri clubs I train with and I had a fair number of people coming to support us all! Epic day!
This weekend was rained out. Spent four hours on the trainer, followed by a 6-mile treadmill run.
I’m doing long ride with mountain bike and some interval session2
Hey. I’Ve Just completed my first race this year. Finish 2nd in my class so its byen a good weekend. Continue the good work!
Studying for exams! But will take a few hours off to jump on the indoor trainer.
Kayak in the Danube, mountainbiking, riding to work and home and on my TT bike for a time trial: that was my weekend :-)
Only some easy running. Still recovering from a flu
Just regular weekend ren
Tacx séance and some long hiking
An easy run, swimming with my son and lots & lots of DIY
Long swim, and then sailing on my boat that is also equipped with Garmin ANT+ gear.
did a 145k bike ride…
Compete in a local XC Marathon race…
I biked 190km yesterday (: