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.
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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!
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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.
Just completed the Devil Dog Double challenge organized by the Marine Corps! A 5-miler first then continuing into the Historic Half.. 18mi of running through beautiful Fredericksburg.
I was involved in tough Mudder this weekend completed 2 laps Saturday and volunteered Sunday
Was supposed to run a marathon this weekend but an injury (pulled gluteus and back muscle) 4 days prior has me on the shelf. Hoping to be back at it next weekend at the latest.
Just done 2 weeks on this journey, 900+km of MTBing, Radelaide to Flinders Ranges, somewhat awesome link to bikesa.asn.au
Figuring out the fun of running with a jogging stroller!
I didn’t run this weekend because all my family has got some nasty cold. I thought I’d make it up by registering for some more races so that’s what I did!
did a 60km ride on Saturday and 112km on Sunday.
Mountain bike saturday and a 10 km run sunday
On Sunday we start a 900+km week long bike tour to Naramata BC and back. Very excited but hope it does not rain.
Riding 80miles with a 4 mile run on Saturday followed by a 6mile run and 2k swim Sunday. Just a typical weekend!
Attended (and did a new PB) the world’s largest half marathon in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Half marathon distance training run, then the gym
Girls on the Run 5K, Hill Repeats, A couple bike rides and a hilly trail run to get ready for upcoming races :-)
6 mile speed walk on the river trail
Did a triathlon with my 935, worked great.
I made it to the second checkpoint of the Almanzo 100 before calling it a day. Rain and temps in the low 40’s (F) made for a tough day.
Heading to swim in the pool with my wetsuit. First race of the season in 7 days and no open water swim yet this year. Water very cold here.
Nice 50 mile ride here in very windy northern Illinois.
Preparing for my first open water swim competition and the usual running..
I road 20 miles on Saturday, did my 4 am walk was the Sherpa for my hubby’s long run today before we went on another bike ride, just 10 miles this time! As a fairly inactive person I am trying to get back into steady exercise after serious back issues.
This weekend was a rest weekend so only a short run and swim. Last weekend had a 1/2 marathon on Saturday (new PB) and speedy 10km on Sunday, with a hill race on the Thursday night. Next weekend back to 10km race before increasing distances again for more 1/2 marathons with stunning Perthshire (Scotland) landscapes.
Taking our 22 month old on a hike
Swimming as usual :)
Drove all the way from Lisbon to catalonia to provide race support to a friend taking part in the ironcat triathlon. Ended up running the last 15km with him so I was sure he would finish.
Great race, great atmosphere :-)
Did a 13km run through the UK’s Peak District and accidentally ran through a trail marathon. Lots of confused people wondering how we looked so fresh at the 35km mark.
Shaking off the rust from winter and getting in some pool time.
I am riding in the Red Ribbon 50 Mile ride. It has 3000 plus of elevation and takes you through three cities. It also goes by a old quarry that has super blue water in it. I will be riding straight through with no aid station to practice for a multi day 185 mile ride I have later this year. $500 would be awesome to add some new gear to my long ride this year.
I have to be honest. I just returned from an international long flight and the most athletic adventure for me this weekend was Sleep and recover from jet lag. Monday I’ll get back to my training program. 5-6 training sessions per week, walking and running at different paces.
Hi Ray,
I am a cyclist. I just rode 150 miles for the Bike MS Citrus Tour. For that I trained based on HR. Now I just started HR based training plan to prepare for a one week ride in hills sourrounding Riccione Italy in September when we go visit my mother–in-law. I would like to train based on power but I don’t have one and as a retiree, it is difficult to put that in our budget. So, if I were to win, I would finally get the “Powertap” P1 pedals.
I’m training for my first 100k cycling trip!
I ran the Longueuil (Quebec, Canada) marathon this morning!
My wife and I took my daughter on several hikes in NC for a “waterfall tour.”
Trying to get a tendionpathy flare up to settle!
Get back and run the river walk trail…
I ran the Brooklyn half marathon after a injury lay off and flu.
Started the race with no goal in mind, and ended up running my first negative split ever
Swim bike run
Turbo, followed by some off bike workouts. Next day, take a trip up the newly relaid local hills.
Biked and ran. Also cheered on a 70.3!
Long bike ride, open water swim and not enough running
Ride and climb withe bike everyday.
Uptempo ride on Saturday in the mid 90s heat and no wind after my first 3 mile run in months on Friday.
35 mile ride followed by a 4 mile run and then Sunday a 12 mile run.
Did a nice little 5k for a local school fundraiser and then z2 run. Was going to do a 3.5 hour ride today but was felled by a fever that came out of nowhere! GAH!
Running, playing tennis, planning long hikes in the Pokonos
Jack
Getting back into the tri scene… biking and riding but all indoors!
First marathon in six years after injuries and long layoff from racing.
Water support for a couple triathlons.
Recovering from both a
Cold and my first half.
Miles each day and hanging out with the family.
Went for a 4 mile run on Saturday and about to head out for a 30 mile bike ride.
Rainy weekend here in Minnesota so my adventures are refrained to the treadmill and bike trainer. Still managed to get in decent workout nonetheless.
I’ll be exploring cycling climbs outside my hometown
Cycling all weekend…and probably a little beer to fuel it.
I’m getting into triathlon from a swimming background, so away for some laps in the North Sea!
Local park adventure scavenger hunt with the family! Normal CrossFit torture continues tomorrow
I’m stuck offshore so boring treadmill miles for me this weekend!
Awesome watch. Would love to try it!
Almost got lost on a long trail run here in Austin. Thankfully planned ahead and downloaded a course to my watch. Made it back without having to eat any wild berries! :)
A 21.3 mile time trial up the Kancamagus Highway in Conway, NH, with 2400 feet of climbing! Followed by a blazing descent and a brick run. Day 2 featured a 60-mile ride with 2900 more feet of climbing.
Went for two 5km runs (parkruns -one was a trial) with my 11 year old Son.
Zwift, spin around the volcano and a workout.
Cheer 1st time 1/2 IM race on for 70.3 ChooChoo & Dream about a better trainer to play with the cool kids on Zwift.
Strength training at the gym.
I have a one week old at home so it’s a short walk with him then a 20 mile ride with my 4 1/2 year old in the trail a bike.
This active resting weekend’s adventure included watching the Seattle Mariners get thrashed 16-1 by the White Sox. But hey it’s the first sunny weekend in Seattle so at least it’s outside.
Interval running session on Friday evening and then 50k on the TT bike this evening (Sunday). All prep for a middle distance tri in Marlow UK in 5 weeks time.
I went for a great run today….then it started to pour….and it made the run all the better!!
Yesterday was an easy day, but kept tacking on ½ miles to my run today to end up at 9 miles. Not too bad solo, especially since I blew off a 10 mile race.
1st runner in at a local Parkrun, very exciting(not really) and a 21km run today. BUT next weekend is when the real exciting stuff happens… racing a 20k Trail the Saterday then heading up the Highest peak in the Western Cape the Sunday for a wannabee FKT attempt.
Get some biking done to prepare for a 300 mile tour in the fall.
Doing some Zwift racing!
One of the nicest cycling events in Spain: Los Lagos de Covadonga! 110km and 2100m climb in Asturias.
Lots of walking all week in West michigan topped off with a morning walk at the mall today.
Brisk run and lift on Saturday with a longer swim in the pool on Sunday. Swimming is the best!!
Headed out on a beginners gravel ride on the road bike
Trying not to increase the waist size again!
Finial prep for Century ride100miles :-)
Only a hangover recovery ride this weekend. 20 easy miles after a rare night away
MTB Orienteering sprint ride on Saturday and again MTBO on Sunday
Fast 20 mile bike ride :-) then 2+ hours of gardening :-(
100k Sportif in aid of Alzheimer’s
Just a little half marathon this morning, nbd.
Ultrabalaton in Hungary. 218km running around the lake with a team. 9person avg pace 5:22/km. Total time 19:29:33
Training for a fun 10k trail race next week. Finally started running this weekend after being hurt with an ankle sprain.
Ran my third Brooklyn Half Marathon this weekend
It started out with a 73 mile bike on Saturday and a 6.5 mile run on Sunday.
A light weekend post-Santa Rosa 70.3. Short bike and run for me with some core work.
Scouting out a decent bike commuting route to my office here in Dallas, before the heat gets too crazy.
headed out into my trail training ground and ran 32k under the sun and a thunderstorm on the last 8k.
the rain was refreshing as it cooled me down from an otherwise hot day.
Traveled to NYC this weekend. Managed to get a run in yesterday, along with over 30k steps!
Just a short run on sat and short ride with my family on sun
Hours gardening and hopefully as many miles as possibly on the trainer!
A few miles and a bunch of kids activities
Did some urban trail with friends
did a ride each day and finally finished working on pictures from last weekend bicycle race :)
My first triathlon of the season! Unfortunately open water swimming in Wisconsin in May means water temperatures of about 53 degrees…brr!
In week 2 of marathon training for the Erie Marathon 9/10!
I have been trying to get out for a run or a ride but because we have a viewing of the house I spent the entire weekend carrying boxes to storage and junk to recycling.
That said I did almost 10000 steps and 2000 calories doing that so it kind of qualifies as training…
Monday I’ll be back on the bike for some short high intensity 30 minute rushes.
I went for a 60mile bike ride with 5000ft of climbing and 20 miles of dirt. Im tired now.
I ran a local 5k!