Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals 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 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.
I went for 6 mile trail run.
First mtb enduro trail this year… and broke my fox fork :(
The winter finally told me goodbye so that this was a time to put on my running shoes and go out. I did trail running as well as enjoyed nature. The distance I have made this week is around 40 kilometers.
Boston Marathon. Hypothermia. Not so much athleticish, more dumb-ish! :P
I spent two days on the water, kayaking!
We did a 60 km fun run up and between five ski areas I Stockholm.
A nice and easy swim on Saturday, a run-bike pre-race test on Sunday in the eastern part of your new home country, Arnhem, the Netherlands. You should definitely come over once!
50 mike ride to celebrate the one good day of weather that weekend — Sunday was snow/rain and mid-30s here in Boston (you may have heard about the weather Monday for the marathon…). Thanks!
Biking with Bison in Yellowstone National Park before the roads open for automobiles
63 mi Devils Backbone Mtn Cross with 6.8K of climbing 1/3 on gravel. A mini east coast BWR. Great weather and great folks on the Blue Ridge in Virginia.
Sunday I ran a 10K race nearby Amsterdam in Hilversum.
This past weekend I continued training for a half marathon – long run and hill work.
My athletic adventure was moving my Mom 500 miles into a new place
First LSD-ish run for a long time
I run over an awesome park over and over
I biked, I run. Almost a biathlon!
I went on a 115km bike ride which turned out to be delightful as the weather was cloudy and remained cool throughout most of the ride, on an otherwise hot and dry climate area.
I was descending a hill when the water bidon mounted to the seat tube just ejected itself Leroy Jenkins style. Made a pit stop for water refueling. A girl doggo started chasing me near the point of highest elevation which triggered a climbing sprint and high HR bpm’s.
The rest of the day was spent doing laundry and folding clothes along some tunes with the Lady at home.
The taper begins for the April 28th running of the Whiskey Off-road Mtn bike race in Prescott, AZ. So this weekend includes to easy’ish rides in the 25-35 mile range,
I was supposed to race the Hoosier Half Marathon in Bloomington Indiana with my club team as part of the NIRCA National Championships. The race was cancelled due to thunderstorms, so we drove back to Pennsylvania and ran a half as a team the next day (Sunday). It was still raining and the lack of crowds/race mentality did not setup many for PRs, but I enjoyed seeing where my fitness was at.
Rode the Col de la Madone with friends this weekend. Hell of a climb but great to get at the top first
Spent my weekend working around the house due to bad weather. Made up for it on Tuesday with a nice 32mi ride before work.
Ran a dry and hot Boston Marathon.
Got in a nice 43 mile bike ride in PA. Nice and warm. Now it’s back to freezing…
Still cold for riding this weekend here is Cleveland. I may go for a 5k race Saturday, weather permitting. Wish it would be summer already!
Gym workouts — weights and treadmill. Bike trainer session — too windy to hit the road.
Running with my girlfriend and Dog
Waking at the beach
I went for a ride with my kids :)
Easy workouts to get back into swing. 1 hr on Zwift. Easy run.
swimming in Cartagena
Recovery day…did yoga for the first time!
First day of the year with sunshine so went for an ‘easy’ ride with my buddies and ended up hitting 1000 watts!
Kicked off training for my marathon in the fall!
I hit the gym and played at the park.
Thanks.
Ran 10mi in Chicago fake spring, then played some squash with friends!
7 mile run in the rain/snow and wind on Saturday and 6.5 on the treadmill on Sunday because on day in those conditions was enough.
The weather in NJ was finally nice enough to get the bike out of the garage. Took a ride along the shore from Sea Girt to Sandy Hook and back.
Got myself into an hospital :-( Doing some recovery walks around the hospital grounds.
100 km Ride with friends, finishing with some fine rhubarb cake ?
I did some training for my first marathon next Sunday!
Going to run 10km on road
40 mile road ride up and over the mountains and back again!
Last weekend consisted of a 9 mile run, a 20 mile Zwift and adult beverages…
Doing a Charity challenge with my son to run as many loops up Table Mountain in Cape Town as we can.
Backcountry skiing in the french alps. Full day!
A run with the Luanda Hash House Harriers!
had to take a cold-induced break, but might be back on bike tomorrow!
I tried to stand up a few times as I am down with a cold.
Very cruisey swim after sleeping in and missing squad Sunday morning
Ran 6.2 miles on Sunday. Felt awesome. Been a while since I ran 6 miles. Cheers!!
I had a rather epic ride on Saturday in the hills of Texas with sustained 20 mph winds. It made for a long ride going north and very quick ride heading back south.
I went for the first outside ride of the season, which felt great after many weeks riding on the trainer
First 5k parkrun of the year, followed by Belgian bun, so a big adventure
I rode 130 miles (split over two day) recoverying from the Paris-Roubaix 90 mile Grand Fondo. It was awsome to have smooth roades
I started biking last month and looking forward of getting nice equipment:)
running, running, & more running
Didn’t do much last weekend, beside a 35 hour training ride. Got a 170km race planned on sunday trough the western part of The Netherlands.
Weather in Chicago not conducive to outdoor training. Went to Jiu Jitsu class Saturday and Sunday.
A run for 16k. Training for marathon Antwerp
First, an easy 60km ride in D1 on Saterday and then on Sunday I did a 40km ride in D4.
Just a long run
A lekker cycling trip along the Rhein
Dragging my 3 year round our local Park in a running stroller.
I ran 60km this week!!
Fixed the bike on the weekend, but been using it every day since.
just walk
Last weekend I took the opportunity to go for a ride on my bike and enjoyed rock climbing.
Sadly indoor biking for me!
Last weekend I ran 10km in the Parc de Marly. First time for me there.
Does a recovery 40k MTB trip followed by moving 3,5 tons of stones at a friend’s house count ;)
Spent the weekend doing some strength sessions.
did some fitness training and judo.
Err I was visiting the in law’s in a very wet countryside. Gave up on the idea of a bike ride but I did spend a lot of time chasing and/or carrying my 3 yo son around various venues.
I did my first sea swim of the year, in the North Sea. Could have been warmer
Drove the kids to their swim practices over the weekend … I take it as my recovery weekend. :)
Did a bike ride on the beautiful island Mallorca.
Planned on running a 20 mile training run Saturday morning but instead shoveled +24 inches of snow… Got my strength workout!
10 miles getting ready for brooklyn half!
Going for 10k sun run here!
Hopefully Im not to late, just returned from a hot 50k mtb tour
Ran a half marathon race Saturday, followed by short (1000 yds) cool off swim. Sunday was my normal 7 mile group trail run – a bit tougher than normal…
Desperate to get back on the run. Recovery time is boring. Good luck everyone!
I did a 4 mile bike/run with my kids. They bike, I run. MUCH STOPPING!
I didn’t get to do too much with the last minute snow. Quick ride on the trainer, though!
Went out for a 2 hour hilly ride on Saturday and then doubled up with a 7.6 mile run and a 2k swim on Sunday.
Between diaper changes for a 4 month old newborn, I’m hoping to go on a 90 minute hammerfest on Sunday! Barring that, I might try out the Cyclops Hammer that’s due to arrive on Friday.
Rode my favourite lumpy loop using quad lock for the first time.
A 30k progressive run, start of taper.
Explored Busan, South Korea on foot.
Did my 3km run after leg injuries a year back!
The everlasting adventure of balancing training time with family time…
Working my way back from L5-S1 microdiscectomy by walking for a few miles. Hope to get back on the bike soon, but for now taking it week by week.
Was busy with a physiotherapy continuing education course this week end. I managed to bring my bike trainer with me to Toronto in order to complete “Tour of Watopia – Stage 5”.
Strength and swimming in a hotel pool. A short hotel pool.
Just a nice and easy 9 miler
Swam/biked/ran on Saturday and then ran and swam on Sun. Ready for some spring weather and no more snow!
Easy 16 k run. Preparing for half marathon run in Gothenburg, Sweden, in May.
Enjoyed the nice weather and went on a hike in my local park
Going snorkeling tomorrow. Does that count?
A little run outside after the snow melts!