Heads up – Massive Sports Tech Holiday Deals List is Live!!! The Garmin Fenix 8 is $250 off (even the Fenix 8 Pro is $100 off!), the Apple Watch Ultra 3 is on sale, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 is $249, the GoPro Hero 13 Black, DJI NEO, and a ton of other brands/deals, including Wahoo, Oura, Whoop, Polar, Samsung, Google, and more than 100 sports tech 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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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.
On vacation so lots of running on hotel trails!
Standing next to the pool. Cheering kids performances.
Multiple hikes through the snow to help stranded motorists.
Watching my husband run the Boston marathon
Drove through blizzard conditions to four different Twin Cities hockey rinks to watch the Flying Squirrels 05 play.
A run in Michigan’s cold, wind, and rain on Saturday to make sure I’m prepared for any conditions I might face at next weekend’s marathon.
turbo sessions because of the weather
Training run in bitter cold winds…better be worth it!
Lots of strength training with some bike trainer thrown in for luck.
Interrupted a gym workout to take my mum to the footy.
I did a nice recovery ride for coffee, after a 200 mile commuting week. Also, went for a jog while my boy rode his bike to T-ball practice (he’s getting fast enough I can’t just walk with him anymore!)
I ran along the bay shore and accidentally joined a free 5k fun run.
75 mi bike ride, Temps in 40s and strong winds, felt like 100.
Did a group ride on Sunday, with *many* flats. In fact it was more of a tech ride, practicing tyre change…
I did a couple of treadmill runs using the Studio app.
10k trail run out in the middle of Pennsylvania
got two garmin rewards for running and cycling – great for the ones who are motivated by those things ;o)
This year’s first 90km bike and 5km run right after it. Then swim and 20km run on Sunday. Enough? We’ll see. :-)
squeezed in a quick bike ride followed by watching/scoring 3 of my daughter’s softball games
My weekend ‘performances’ was two family events: Saturday a 90 year birthday competing with 80 to 97 year olds at the buffet, and Sunday konfirmation of a 14 year old boy, competing with his cousins at the drinks table.
First road bike ride of the spring in Finland – a nice 65 km stretch on sunny countryside roads.
I did my longest trail run in a while. Gorgeous views, good for the soul.
I am trying to do a minimum 5k of excercise everyday so inspite of the fact that I was up until 1 am Saturday morning with relatives drinking (too much), and being on holiday (last day), and needing to drive the 600km home that day I decided that the only exercise time I had was at 07:30. I forced myself out of bed and I ran (half asleep) for less than a mile before having to leap from the road to a grass verge to avoid traffic. At this point I twisted my ankle and face planted in mud right infront of the very car I was trying to avoid! Tempted as I was to just lie down and go to sleep in the mud at this point because the driver was looking so concerned I got up and ran off to complete the 5k minimum run. Not sure I actually woke up properly until I got back to the rental cottage and had breakfast! Never run drunk and hungover people it’s just not clever!
Went for a long slow run in Gothenburg this weekend with a friend. The weather was excellent, much better than the snowy mess in New England.
I finally got out on an actual road ride after this relentless winter!
Run 12,5 km in the sun
Does the tour of Watopia count?
Took a 9 km trail race on saturday! Kalvarija trail in Croatia.
Had nice looong walk with my dog :).
Snow removal
Rode gentle endurance miles in the warm sun
As we are still in the snow in Quebec, i rode on my Tacx trainer.
Just started biking and running again, nice tours on the weekend!
I ran my first ever Marathon in Brighton, UK. I was pretty pleased with my 3:14:19 time as it qualifies me for the London Marathon next year. Then, the next day, London announced the first change in qualifying times for five years. Mine was cut to 3:05. So I’ve got to go and do a faster run now. (Obviously not right “now” though – can barely walk right now).
I’m signed up for my first marathon in two weeks but injured my knee a couple of weeks ago so this past weekend I ran/walked 12 miles. It was slow and painful, and I am praying that my knee is fine I time for the marathon.
Séance de fractionné 30-30
Went out for a long ride in beautiful weather on Sunday, only to have a deep cut in both tire and tube 12KM later. I was lucky as my wife was able to pick me up, but totally frustrated about the lost opportunity to ride. Insisting to get some miles logged, I went down to the basement and spent 2 hrs riding on Zwift. Since I live in a flat area, the ride on Zwift was actually better in terms of strength training.
Had a climbing adventure, by which I mean cleaned out my gutters
Some hill work outs
Did a 38 mile training ride in preparation for the upcoming Police Unity Tour!
Riding up the Vorderissestrasse to Eng Alm, from Germany to Austria. One of the most beautiful rides in Southern Bavaria.
1.5 hour long trainer ride
I tried to break my personal best on the 10K, which I did not manage. The weather was great though!
Thought hard about going for a run but didn’t make it out until Monday
Had a great enduro tour with a new group on Saturday and another great more XCish ride with my established team on Sunday. Great weather, great rides!
My wife and I accompanied our two little daughters to the state Cheerleading junior championships. Their teams got second and third place in their age categories
10 mile run on Sunday, stomach flu on Monday.
Bike, run and well rest really, thanks dc…
On Saturday I did the Three Sisters stage of the Tour of Watopia on Zwift. On Sunday, I went on a real ride climbing 2,000 in a road I had not been since before Hurricane Maria – so I didn’t know what to expect. It wasn’t bad except for the unleashed dogs that ran into me several times.
50km of MTB marathon on Sunday
I never win these things – but if I DID I would be keen to get a FENIX 5x – which would have helped me on my Sunday run (which was a bit spluttery as I’ve had a chest infection of late..)
A short HIT run session, some roller ski action and mountain bike ride for me.
ran 16k with my sister
Weekend spent with a chill cafe ride on Saturday and a hard road race on Sunday. Toast now!
At the weekend I was neither running nor cycling. I had to dig a 16m long ditch at my house. That was enough training!
My last weekend of training for the Toledo marathon.
Mostly recovery, I even had to abandon my Zwifting due to technical problems with the bike. Grr!
I will continue my preparation for the Hamburg Marathon on April 29 :-)
Rode up Alpe Du Zwift for the first time.
Went on a 50K bike ride in my neighborhood.
Went for a 15km MTB ride with my 8 year old.
This weekend will be recovery walks and 3 session each 1 hour on a stair master treadmill as I want to pick up mountain hiking.
Enjoy Amsterdam and the nice bike paths to the north of Amsterdam!
Gerard
LBS bike ride followed by trainer sessions due to extreme weather | commitment;
Maybe a beach run in Cancun!
53 mile backpacking trip with my trusty Fenix 3 and GoPro Hero6.
Broke a rib rowing surf boats in the australian masters in Scarborough Western Australia. Made the final but got put under a wave and ended up 4th.
Nothing extra, only one marathon.
But the Virgin Money London Marathon 2018! :-)
30 mike road ride on the first really nice day we’ve had! Great to get off the trainer – Spring is here!
I rode Alpedu Zwift for the 1st time last weekend. That was hard work.
Mixed frisbee tournament in Durham, UKlots of running and lots of great frisbee.
Some surfing, spring is coming! Thanks Ray
Had a great weekend. Besides decorating the new babyroom, I managed to sneak in a swim, a 60 km bike-ride and a short run!
Rode 30 miles in my first group ride.
I went running a short trail to get used to my new trail running shoes. They will be used in the 30km trail the Namur that I am going to run in May. That trail will have 1000meters of elevation so more training is needed. I’d use the giveway for a new outdoor sports watch. Thanks!
This weekend I ran with a stroller (including baby) through the forests for the first time. Was fun! And welcome in the Netherlands. I lived very close on two places along your bike route of this weekend.
I did my last taper run before the River to River relay.
Still recovering from a marathon a week before, just two short 50K trips with the bike.
Long trail on Saturday!
I rode the Furka Pass ride on Rouvy. Awesome.
There was a 2.5 hour bike ride inside (should’ve been outside, but it was raining cats and dogs and then some; should’ve been four hours, but … well… indoor trainer, you know?) on the Saturday, then a bit of a run on the Sunday. Fun fact: the run started in the rain, and just about when I was back at my starting point to finish up, it cleared up. Typical. Absolutely bloody typical.
Still, running alongside a creek and seeing the local duck population counts as a plus, so… well…
Recovery weekend shuttling my son to Ice Hockey practice. I did manage to clean the bike a bit.
I went on a 3 hour bike trip on a new trail that spat me out in a neighborhood a state over I had never visited before. Ride was both hillier and less hilly than I had hoped.
Distance run. Getting ready for spring.
Hi Ray!
I will be running next April 22th the Rock And Roll Madrid Half Marathon, so as you can imagine, last weekend I did some running. Last long run (16 K) until the big date!
Thanks for the giveaway in advance, because I am going to win.
KR.
Easy 4 miles with my two boys.
long rides on Sat and Sun and ride with kids in between :)
Saturday rode with my teammates for our 32.5 mile route with some fun intervals. Sunday I was on Zwift as I didn’t feel like riding in 30 F temps.
Did a short ride outside. Thanks Ray!
Did a 20 km bike ride with the kids.
First 100km of the season, half of them under the rain
Running on the beach in Tel Aviv where the weather is just perfect now.
Rode 125k on saterday and ran 6k on sunday. Perfect weekend.
Did a couple of bike rides.
Two longer trainer rides to prep for a half ironman in June.
Ran a ragnar race with friends.
Trip to Luxembourg on the bike
Got in a nice 8 mile run on Saturday before the rain and snow moved in.
This weekend was one filled with fights, flights and collecting….
Pokemon… :D
15k ride … (recovery after injury)
I raced a local crit and I got 11th out of 50.