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.
Trail race Saturday (Dirty Dog 15K) Sunday rest day and watching some hockey with friends. Monday back at it, starting taper end of week for American Triple T.
Taekwondo training in my dojang and swimming with my wife in local pool ?
Running
Helping my kids pace their first 1 mile runs
Running 11 Miles to Paradise!
10k run and a 2500 yard swim
I have a 50k long run to do in preparation for the TDS at UTMB
10K run, followed by a 6hr training ride!
Stuck in bed over the weekend, back spasms, after Tuesday 10K run Central Park.
Getting in a 25 mile ride followed by a 5k run while learning how people from Colorado breathe…
Unplanned triathlon weekend! Friday 1100m in the pool, Saturday 65km bike and an 8km running race on Sunday. Maybe I’ll relax Monday :)
Mountain biking in SoCal!
Belgium Wafer ride
Saturday, Tempo run
Sunday, 140km cycle with 10km brick run, then 3 cycles of Air Relax leg massagers…
Swimming in the DR. Taking a break from running and biking.
First mountain bike race of the season. As my race ended, rain started. LOTS of rain. A couple of inches of rain. Made for an interesting next race!
Kettlebells!
Probably a longish run and some quality time in compression sleeves!
Nothing, on holiday in Bagan (Myanmar)! Can definitely recommend
Ironman Santa Rosa Preview Ride and Swim!!
Ran 10km then chased a golf ball around the local course!
60 mile ride on Saturday, then watch my wife skydive.
Great weekend! Running, biking, swimming!
Brooklyn Half and Gran Fondo New York!
Brick workout along the river for me this weekend! And a nice brunch afterwards.
My weekend training was quite pathetic. It was simply a 3 mile run. I missed out on my swim
and 30 mile bike planned. My poor dad is in the hospital with a new diagnosis of cancer and I spent all weekend with him.
Just a couple of easy Z2 runs.
Marathon on sunday !
Family reunion. No athletics.
I’m pacing my friend for his 50k.
I suppose the 8 hours of gardening yesterday does not count but a long run this morning is what I got in.
Longers ride in this season, rode 82 miles at a nice pace of 18.5 mph.
This weekend I was on the trainer Saturday morning then swim and yoga on Sunday.
Running the toughest XC race in the region, followed by rabbiting at the local school’s xc races.
Leukotape got me through an 8-miler.
Did the Gran Fondo NY!!!!
ill be hitting out a 1hr tempo on Saturday and a 3hr long run on the Sunday!
Riding my bike!
I’ll be shuttling kids between a dance recital and a swim meet! In the between time, I’ll try to ride my trainer amidst all the rain this weekend. ?
Taper this weekend in prep to head to the Grand Canyon next weekend to run 50k for my 50th birthday!
Ran 5 in the pouring rain.
Run up and down Mount Uncanoonuk in Goffstown, NH. Did it 6 times today.
Just two fast 30 min runs and some strength training
No athletic adventures this weekend. I’m taking some much needed rest days.
I’ll be chasing a toddler and hitting the gym.
Running rasy 5km this Sat and Sun.
I just ran 6km in 40 minutes!
Thinking I might brave the weather and try and get out for a run! Thanks for everything you do ray
Went to a Music Festival this weekend and instead of taking taxis I walked 3 miles each way to stay active. It was great until a storm came rolling through!
Oregon High School State Track Meet in Tracktown USA!
taking a break from running, and kayaking a little.
I’m goingo to hit the bike fot some serious kms, and if all of yuo are readimg this, it means I won, yeah!!!!
Olympic distance tri on Saturday in Pinehurst NC and drinking all the beer on Sunday!
Switching cycling shoes… Again!
EMS week 5k run and long bike ride
Getting back outside for some workouts after being out of action with a cold.
Regen after field test week
Not much for me… One more week on crutches for a femoral stress fracture!
Probably a trail run up a local mountain (assuming my left ankle injury feels well).
I want to run soon
Going for a walk with a stroller, my daughter and wife….does that count?
First open water lake swim of the year, plus cycling, and a dog walk.
Lots of biking on our anniversary long weekend :)
16 miles on saturday – last long run done! 8 miles this morning on the course of the marathon. I am feeling ready!
Climbed Cadillac Mountain for my anniversary
Mtb’ing and road biking
A 75 mile bike race Saturday with a 56 mile preview ride as a recovery effort Sunday
Doing a parkrun this Saturday and long trail fun this Sunday.
Grand Fondo New York!
Training for the M-22 Challenge triathelon.
Since I have my first Tri of the season coming up next Week, I should probably start swimming again. And Eating a bunch of Recovery Pizza.
L’Estartit Olimpic Triathlon!!!
somehow managed to fit a spinning class and 8Km run around working this weekend. Pretty happy with that
5k on Saturday, 10k on Sunday and a 15 mile bike ride through Boston
Ironman Brazil
Major rebuild weekend. Completely strip and clean the 650 for new everything. Fit new cables and hydraulic fluid for the 29er. Clean and check the Road Disc for it’s next outing. Fit the new Enve’s to the Crit bike. Who says cyclists don’t know how to have fun? :'(
Grocery shopping on crutches….
No adventures this weekend red foot plantar fasciitis
Got my eyes on a few things at CT!
Trail run 13 miles with 3000ft climb
I coached little league. I built a waterproof cover for the atrium in my home. I exercised my liver before and during a concert. No actual workouts, but damn, I’m tired.
I’m starting training for my first marathon, the St. George Marathon, this week!
Mens Road Race Cat 5 and Kiddie Crit for my kids ages 7,7, and 10.
I am just riding the bike.
100 miles for $$ for diabetes
Just moved back to my uni town! Ready for some nice runs by the lake :)
20k Trail Run on saturday and 70k ir more route bike ride on sunday preparing an ironman !
3 hour bike ride around Griffith Park, 1.5 mile open water swim, and a 6 mile run. A leisurely hike to boot.
It’s a long weekend on Canada so flexing my grilling muscles and doing a long run on Monday.
Not a great adventure but hit the trainer and 100 miles mark!
XC mountain biking (on a very muddy trail given the current weather)
I raced the TX State TT Championships and am now the state champion for female cat 5 (that was yesterday) and today I did some low tempo running work.
Girls on the run 5k support. Half mary prepwork.
A brick on Saturday and a hike on Sunday. Nice weekend, if a bit rainy.
Cycling the NZ Great Alpine Highway
link to fourcorners.co.nz
Went for a run, biked, and swam!
Saturday with a light bike ride and for Sunday a century ride!
Hit the gym for some weights and a quick run!
Happy May 2-4 from Canada!! I plan on going for a run tomorrow on my day off, but nothing major.
Fun run at my local brewery, port city brewery in Alexandria va.
5K run and strength training, plus lots of walking.