Heads up!!! Here’s your massive Cyber Monday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $619, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
most favorite sentence:
“And I plan on eating said pies.”
What we want to see now is a picture of The Girl riding the cargo bike with Ray in the front, especially if there is any room left over for Lucy and any peanuts.
Haha…she’s gotta work up to ‘unlock’ that game level. First we start with static cargo…like hauling trainers. :) Then she can move up to awkward heavy cargo, like stacked pallets. Then finally, me. :)
Love the picture of your dad in the cargo bike! And the girl with the two kids! Please say you did both without e-assist!
Next… aero sensor on the cargo bike. You know, for science.
Most times I use e-assist, but there’s plenty of times I don’t. For example, on that ride with them, in order to just keep things equalized a bit, sometimes I just turn off the engine and pedal.
The ‘hardest’ part is really just getting from 0 to anything (speed-wise). Once you’ve gotten past about 2KPH, it doesn’t much matter anymore and momentum carries you pretty easily.
As for the aero sensor, both myself and one of the Notio guys were talking about that…mostly at the point I stuffed him in the cargo bike to get him to coffee one day. Definitely game for it.
But first, the wind tunnel next week. :)
You knew someone was going to mention the Girl’s non-matching socks, didn’t you.
My understanding from fashion people is that’s the current ‘in’ thing to do.
Or at least, The Peanut also believes so.
Love it: “It’s all about the bike here.”
typo:
“as well as my rode bike”
That library in the park looks to be part of the same phenomenon that has swept the states, called ‘Little Libraries’.
Some are grass roots; some are part of this movement: link to en.wikipedia.org
Couple of hundred of them in my town, with residents, businesses, and the city all active in building and placing them.
Have not seen shoes in them before, but have seen some used as food donation sites for the homeless.
Hey DC, my wife and I are flying to paris tonight couple questions:
1. Have you ever biked to Versaille – I am a very avid rider but my wife less so but super active — is it possible in 1 day leaving time to tour the chateaux? Route?
2. Bike rental suggestions in paris?
3. Any good restaurnt recommendations and coffee shops in Paris (I think there are a few cycling/coffee hybrids?)?
4. Finally any bike rental recommendations in Avignon–I am planning on riding Ventoux and was looking for a good spot to rent a road bike (this would be solo without my wife!).
Thanks!! Love your blog.
link to dcrainmaker.com
Hi Karim-
1) Yup, riding to Versailles was one of my favorite routes. Did it most weeks. On a road bike it’d take roughly an hour or so depending on where in the city you departed (me, next to Notre Dame). On a cruiser style bike, I’d budget more like 90 minutes to get there, and a bit less to get back (it’s mostly uphill the way there). The best route is to simply follow the Paris-Versailles Running race. It’s what I always do. You can find that map easily online. Starts at Eiffel Tower and ends at Versailles.
2) Bike rentals: Yup, listed here: link to dcrainmaker.com
3) Restaurants: Yup, per the link from Sam. :)
4) Not sure on Avignon unfortunately. However, I’d bet if you go with Paris Bike Co for rentals, the guy running it (Sam, a different Sam from above), is awesome and would definitely know of some options there. I’d strongly recommend him/them for rentals in Paris.
Enjoy the trip!
with regard to the comment about wearables, have you heard anything about Whoop? I was interested, but truth be told, I’ve held off because I can’t find anything on your page where you talk about them. Also, I joined their FB user group, and seems like it’s nothing but user problems with this device. It’s a lot cheaper now, and could offer some nice insights to training. Maybe the newest WatchOS will contemplate some of these…
Hi Ray! We live in Germany, so not too far from you. One thing we have had a hard time finding here are self-pick apple farms. Being from the NE US, this is a family autumn tradition. Would you recommend the place you went? Would you share the name? This would be a few hour drive for us, but we are willing to drive for the right experience for us and our young kids.