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.
A Trainer road endurance ride. Why not done crazy interval set you ask? Well that’s because I did the workout my kids’ swim coach have them the day before and now I can barely walk.
Just a HIIT session at home!
Yet to do any training as I’ve been recovering from symptoms, but this would surely help when I’m fully recovered.
Lunch time biking on TrainerRoad. Still to cold to bike outdoors.
My last workout was a solo 10K run with 6x 2min interval
Indoor training fitting against and old worn down fluid 2
Quick lunch run at work to clear my head!
Last workout was baptism of my new Saris H3 which I bought as my means to survive this social distancing most responsibly.
Most off my rides goes to Cold Hawaii, so I can See and Feel the Sea
Outdoor workout with TRX and kettlebells
Lockdown UK still allows us to go out to exercise once per day. My last workout was a solo bike ride in beautiful Yorkshire scenery. Only a quick 17.27km loop but still had 329m of climbing (over 1000ft in old money).
An MTB ride in the woods, which isn’t as much fun when you’re trying not to go gently on the trails to not strain the health service, but got some wild garlic at least.
I went for a run at 6am in an non essential business zone… didn’t see anyone!
Solo running in the park down here in Sydney. Everyone trying to keep distant but it’s a bit of a mess and nobody is quite sure how to do it.
Very short run avoiding all the other people.
Kettlebell workout followed by an indoor row.
Solo Cyclocross bike ride re-/exploring trails from MTB times… I miss the suspension fork :D
5 mile run around town avoiding the trails and other popular running routes
Went for a run in the woods. No one but me and the squirrels!
My last exercice was walking 8000 steps inside my house, I believe I have started the creation of a trail course inside :)
Zwifting all day :-)
and sometimes a lonely outside ride
Yesterday I did some stairs, HIIT and bike trainer.
BUT I MISS RUNNING!
I was zwifting, but I would love to be swimming
TrainerRoad ride yesterday am and solo run yesterday pm. Now, if only my place was not essential to stay open and producing.
I’ve only left my pain cave for a quick gravel ride. I saw one golf cart, one quad, four tractors, and one other cyclist that was stopped for recovery on the side of the road for recovery. I rode the unpopulated roads in an unpopulated time, now I return to my cave and am still putting in work to be prepared for the day when I can go on a proper group ride again and not get dropped until a little further in than usual!
Zwift! So much Zwift…
Sticking to plugging away with the TrainerRoad rides. Unfortunately, nothing specific to train for right now.
The 3rd instalment of the 4-week FTP Booster Program on Zwift, London Course. The program should keep me busy for the entire social distancing period.
I got in a solitary 5-miler on some country road yesterday.
My last workout social distancing was a short run around my block. According all the rules here in france (500m max from home…)
Walk from my hospital bed to the bathroom! Can’t wait to get out of here to get back on my bike.
6 km easy run after being sick
Stages 1 to 5, Tour of Watopia with 500+ of my closest digital friends!
The only thing I’ve given up is swimming at the gym, my biking and running is still 5 days a week WITH social distancing. My last workout was a 30 mile ride on a beautiful spring day, I’d loose my mind if I couldn’t get outside!
I did ran outside in the woods distancing from other people (not too many were there to be fair).
TrainerRoad ride, socially distancing in the garage.
learning to zwift, more fun than expected
Lifting weights, abs, squats … and … stretch!!
Zwifting erryday.
4 x 4/3 using Trainerroad
1h jump rope workout in the garage
Zwiftrace on Innsbruck
the day before: 6x2min @ 150% FTP Intervalls
Properly social distancing is not that easy as an professional firefighter.
Last workout I did was yesterday on the treadmill, running intervals in Zwift while the rest of the guys tested the biggest TV in the firestation :-D
I got out for an 8 miler near my house yesterday. Earlier in the week the trails were packed but yesterday there was almost no one. Not sure what that means but it was odd. Everything seems odd right now.
A nice recovery spin on a nearby country road.
Tried the RGT app. Even doubled up on social distancing: only met one other real person and made sure I sprinted past him as fast as possible:)
Last one, Restday Workout on Zwift, Watopia
Riding on Zwift in my basement. A lot more time since working from home.
Hitting the trails by my house and trying to not breathe when I pass people.
I ran down some desolate roads that are normally full of fuel sucking pigs
I did a virtual ride on Zwift all alone in my living room.
Last workout involved a handful of cinder blocks in my garage. Not pretty but works with everyone deciding nows the time to get off the couch.
Switched from Trainerroad and tried Zwift, hoping for some improved motivation…
I run 2.5K at our building shared parking and then did some core traning indoor.
Cheers,
IK
5am run to avoid people
I did a few ~400m repeats around my block which is just the right size, with my daughter riding along on her bike.
3 summits bike ride. Its not the Alps to you, but it is to me!
My daughter and I ran in circles together in our tiny backyard… I guess it counts :D
Zwift – tour of Watopia group ride.
3 mile outdoor run and then inside for 15 minutes of every minute on the minute: 3 strict pull-ups, 6 pushups, 9 air squats.
Easily done in the Woods.. ..on trails where only the brave venture
Zwift baby!!!!!
Ziwft London over lunch while working from home. Man there were TONS of people on Zwift. It was like a conga line up Box Hill.
30 minutes of aerobic riding on rollers praying not to crash through a chair again
Hello,
Doing a Freeletics workout in my empty basement :-)
Just did a Freeletics workout in an empty basement
Run out and back around the neighbourhood
I hit the road for a solo quick 20.
Ski tour up a slope in a closed ski area.
Where I live is too cold, we had a snow storm on Monday. I’ve been running on my treadmill with Zwift and the amazing NPE Runn you recommended!
Clipped off a ten miler yesterday!
FTP test on my first gen Hammer yesterday!
Hoping for good health, good luck and new sports tech!
Brick workout while crossing to the other side of the road every time I see anyone else. Took less traveled roads rather than the W&OD trail.
Just finished a Lucy-in-the-sky-with-diamonds workout on Xert/Zwift while also finally earning the Tron bike! Woot!
not managed to do – but my workout plans are being created continuously and each day again
the last workout I managed while properly social distancing. Jogging outside by myself and creating a whishlist on CleverTraining.com while riding my old trainer indoors.
My area has requirements of no more than 3 together in public, so my last workout was an outdoor run with 2 of my bodies. 6 feet apart of course. Thanks for the giveaway, Ray!
Bodyweight strenght exercise in my room
went out early yesterday morning and did my commute that I used to do when I wasn’t WFH. 2 weeks ago seems like ages
Jogging alone outside in the forest
Zwift…Zwift and more Zwift….it’s great!
A solo jog in the neighbourhood party in the heat of the afternoon sun. Nobody was crazy enough to join me in the sweltering heat. Definitely social distancing as there was scarely another person around.
Did a ramp test on the trainer in my home office. Along with my 4yr old on his trainer. Who kept riding on his, long after i finished my test………..
Jog alone in the forest
4.5 mile Tempo run – intervals included when running away from others walking or running
35 min treadmill run and 1 hour TrainerRoad ride
Yesterday, with my Massi trainer while watching The Office!
Tempo run
Walked the dog. Dogs were socialising, people smiling and waving at a distance.Strange days.
I went for a properly socially distanced ride around New York’s Central Park (on Zwift of course, because the real thing doesn’t seem like a good idea right now.)
1 hour run around the neighbourhood
I was able to sneak out for a quick 10k this morning while the rest of the house was asleep. Zwift is great and all but cycling indoors gets old.
Cadence Builds and Holds by the Sufferfest!
As I can´t do my 10miles on the streets, I´m doing some HIITs on my living room.
11k run on Monday 23-3!
Outside alone 2 days ago cold and windy but totally awesome 35 km
Used a workout from YouTube for how to train for a triathlon indoors. It was pretty good, and had modifications for people who didn’t have equipment.
Exploring the empty city on my bike, nice and chill!
Road the Cervelo Jungle Rush ride last night on Zwift.