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.
On the weekend I participated in trail run event, where I did 11km distance. And had a wall already after 5km. Though because I walked a lot the leftover, today nothing hurts!
Trying to build up my miles again after a long recovery following the NYC Marathon.
Had a rest weekend, but I did ride my bike 5 miles or so in the rain to get Chinese food to satisfy a craving!
I finished up my Olympic Triathlon Build phase on TrainerRoad. On to the Specialty phase! I really need those Garmin Vector 3s!
Last weekend my coach asked me to do a cool 35miles ride on saturday.
When I started, the weather was great, not that much wind, plenty of sun so I decided to try to finish my ride with an average speed of 30km/h (18,64miles/h) … a first for a runner like me.
I was feeling energised by the sun and even though I had to slow down a couple of time while crossing cities, I managed to keep an average speed above 30km/h… until, 1km before the end of my loop… I was crossing a turn-point and Spchiiiiiiiiit… my rear tire deflated… I had to continue to ride for a dozens of meters until I was able to step safely… and stop my watch.
Believe it or not… I’ve finished my ride with an average of 29,9km/h … =( –> link to strava.com
Conclusion: I have a good reason to continue to ride :-)
MTB ride with the wife on Saturday, mildly off road ride with the 4 year old daughter on Sunday.
Cheered on runners at the Boston Marathon.
raced expedicion guarani, great expedition race
Had my first 4-hour outdoor seasonal ride this Saturday in awesome weather. Awesome.
A trainer ride while watching the NBA Playoffs
Completed a serious two day long workout in the garden: weeding, planting, re-fit of the shed and jet washing the paving slabs! I cirtainly felt like I had exercised.
Vancouver Sun run, 10 km
Did 2 hours of cycling
I did a 110km race with a 1000 meter elevation gain. A lot of climbing in a flat country.
SEC collegiate championship – didn’t perform that well but still had fun!
Sure would love some Garmin Vector 3’s.
After training on asphalt for months and months, I finally hit some high country trails for a couple hours here in SoCal. Refreshing!
I did a mini IM for my last big workout before tapering. 7 hours of swim bike run.
Went cycling along the river with my son!
Longest ride on the trainer in a couple years. I won’t embarrass myself by admitting how short it was, but maybe, just maybe, it is a baby step back towards fitness.
Climbing on Athens hils – 32k steps + 62floors
Spin class, trail run, inline hockey!
25k long run with some 2k intervals
Leading run clinic at local Running Room
I rowed a boat in the wind and rain.
Easy 3 miler to test annoying Achilles injury…
Pouring rain all Sunday. Treadmill.
A good brick on Sunday: 25km on the bike + 10km run
I ran 16 miles (distance PR!), a long training run at pace for my upcoming first marathon.
What I do every weekend…ride my bike…a lot.
I ran like a zombie but i ran!!!
I raced a cat3/4 road race, was going well until puncturing with about 10km to go. Fancied my chances as well. Grr!
On saterday the first tour with some altitude meters.
link to bearsports.nl
Went swimming with kids.
Did some weight training….
Escaped the tyranny of the power meter by going for a couple of long recovery walks with the dogs.
Long Run (24km) on Saturday with friends in the nice weather. Supposed to do a bike tour on Sunday, but the nice weather on Saturday was replaced by a cold and foggy Sunday.. :-(
Hoping to go for a nice long ride on Saturday and a nice but shorter run on Sunday.
Walked a lot, ran a bit in pretty warm weather. Maybe get a500$ water bottle?
I got my butt kicked on the alp de zwift.
Double trail run, weekend!
10-hour walk through Vienna followed by some jumping at the Imagine Dragons concert
Trying to do 2k swiming, 4k running and some cardio. Hope I can make it all.
Only managed to get out on the bike for an hour but managed to nail a few pbs on a hill climb. Picked up a flat on the last 200m to my door (thanks pot hole)
Did some final tuneup before this weekend (April 21) Parkway Classic 10 miler outside DC. Feeling good and would feel even better with some new gear!
I had a good MTB ride.
Did a 10 mile trail run. Started raining at mile 6 then it turned into a puddle run for the remainder. Good stuff.
Old but good – last long ride before Iman AUS. 6.5 h computrainer set – I did mention old. Like me, after this ride, on its last legs:)
last 20 km training for next sunday marathon in Padova.
Stuck inside because of the ice :(
Stretching with yoga.
I am running a 10K on Sunday.
Due to a broken wrist from a crash it was a couple of rides on the trainer
Just a 5k run to get started on running again from a slump……..
I managed to get out of bed does that count?
Went running in 100 kph winds on the blustery east coast of Canada!!
Took the bike off the trainer for the first time this year and went for a ride outdoors.
Walking with my baby girl — does that sound athletic enough? If not, there was also some weightlifting after shopping :)
went out for my first roller ski ride of the year.
(my english is bad, so doy you actually Ride roller ski?)
recovery weekend, but I did spend a couple of hours in a bounce house at a kids birthday party!
Drained my edge battery – so I need a new one :)
I fled South to Altlanta to escape the persistent nature non-spring in the NE & I found the same weather! Oh well, I still rode out to Stone Mountain.
Windy recovery spin
Mtb training in the Eifel
42 miles with 3000ft of climbing
Woke up 5 am on a Saturday to ride some laps in CP before the crowds show up.
It was windy Sunday so I decided to change things up from my normal ride and head south into the wind. I felt like Superman coming back home.
Last long run before Eugene Marathon!
6 mile training run. First one since I started the 100 day challenge of 100 push up/sit ups/squats on 4/1. Was good to get out and not just hurt.
An ugly run and I fell off my SUP a few times.
Trail running at “Liafjell” (Lia mountain :) ). Finished off the weekend by playing some fotball (or soccer as some call it) and ended up with a pulled hamstring :(
So I’m trying to not go trail running tomorrow… we’ll see…
I went for a chilly sea swim!
Walking with fam,gym time
Yoga and a trail run for me!
Long bike (on the trainer, got rained out!) on Saturday. Nice surprise the sun came out and got to do my Sunday long run outside after some brunch (waffles!)
To get back up tot speed in training. Since the arrival of my first peanut I have been lacking…
Half marathon training run for upcoming 50k.
I recovered from the hamstring injury. It took me almost 2 months to recover. I am very happy I can back to normal train again. I ran 60km last week, keen to run more this week.
Fatbiking on friday, relaxing rest of the weekend.
Cross-training with Ellipticals during the pollen season. :)
I had a wicked case of the man flu so i watched Amstel 2018 race and drank hot drinks. The most athletic achievement was walking the dog unfortunately. Here’s to the end of winter.
We hosted my buddy’s bachelor party this weekend, so there was lots of athleticism on tap: beach volleyball, running from bar to bar, lifting burritos to the mouth, climbing up off the floor at 3am… etc.
Did a long run in the rain.
Hill repeats (10% grade, 1 Km long). Didn’t get as many as I would prefer.
Had to change 4 winter wheels of the car to the summer ones, and to add to the fun, had to take the wheels from and to a nice Parisian cave. Yeah!!!
I am a tax accountant and worked for 95 hours this week. So my athletic adventure was walking to the bathroom. Not good, but it’s all over now and I can go outside again!
I rode 60k for a coffee as a come down after the Paris Roubaix
Hiked and road bikes with the wife?
Weight training (aka gardening… it is spring!!)
Hiking with ex-high school mates and their kids.
(Bon Scott rulez)
Gravel race cum family vacation
I’m going back to my running schedule, 15km three times per week.
I did some intervals in Santa Barbara in the sunshine, then came back and repeated them in the rain in Seattle. Whiplash a bit!
Hello,
I‘m at Mallorca this week for cycling…so every day in this week is an adventure…including the petrol Station at „Kloster Lluc“
Regards
Daniel
It was finally warm enough to ride outside!
I went for a Parkrun 5km
i went for my first rider last weekend and added a little run off the bike
rain finally stopped so got to get out on the singletrack
Super weekend, die a 4h30 MTB ride with friends!!
Rode my new mountain bike.