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.
My last workout was an 18 lap zwift race in Crit City….next week was supposed to be the start of the local weekly crit series :(.
here in Madrid, only at home, so yoga and crossfit
Solo bike ride outside away from people
A blast around the muddy park on my CX bike. Great to be out.
A nice easy 6mi run yesterday with some neighbors… working on keeping distances and minding our slipstream of death…
Would LOVE to try smart trainer! Need it to prep for stepping form running… into bike racing :-)
solo intervals outside are still allowed, so not much different from a normal weekday for me as far as workout.
Riding Indoor through Watopia, listening to triathlon and video game podcasts.
Early morning solo bike ride around the park. Yoga later today.
FTP test plus one hour of endurance after on TrainerRoad. All great while still social distancing!
Hi from France. Here it’s allowed to leave the house for a short run within the radius of 1km and less then 1h. Hereby its forbidden to enter into parks or forests. So it was not so easy but I went for a 6km run..;)
Stay fit and healthy
Stefan
Without Zwift and the Sufferfest, I’d be a lot larger. We’ve been baking almost every night. Last night we made chocolate chip cookies. I did Sufferfest cadence drills last night. 185 rpm!
Klausen pass in my basement
Set up my tm and bike and ct with a moving TV and fans. A workout in itself
Zwift, watopia, completed quatch quest!
Working on the Tour of Watopia on Zwift.
Darwin on TR. Honestly nothing change that much for me. Still riding inside since winter and watching yt.
Slack call yoga session with workmates and instructor
So good to run (like a quiche), deeaming of my lovely bike.
Zwift indoor ride
Completed about an hour bike ride-outdoors.
I did a simple treadmill run.
Like millions of other people, I was laid off a day ago and to clear my head and try and get some perspective on things, went for a run on the road which runs alongside one of our local beaches – the beach itself is off limits these days after spring breakers ignored social distancing recommendations.
Saw several friends from the local running, cycling and triathlon community putting in their miles.
Got a bit under 7 miles in as the sun was setting and felt better about the world afterwards. Will be repeating often to stay positive and hopeful.
A brief MTB ride (first in like 7 years).
Indoor home gym strength session :)
Peloton workout :)
I’m in a recovery week, so yesterday I did a workout named “Beech” in TrainerRoad.
Fortunately the weather in Minnesota makes it a little easier to train Socially Distant. I’m still in Trainer Mode w/Zwift for a few more days. Last workout was this morning stuck in a room with no windows.
Awesome run in the sun while everybody made space just for me.
I did a run, alone, in remote British Columbia.
Did a nice run into my favorite park! then back home!
The alpe on Zwift this morning!
I’d like to say I ventured onto the Autobahn since they’re barely being used but instead, I settled for a sunset cruise on the road bike along the Rhein.
Yet another morning on the treadmill. 55 min tempo run today.
40 mile gravel ride in central Missouri.
I was able to do an outdoor run here, whilst crossing the road when encountering people.
100k ride last Sunday. Even though it was cold and windy, the bike path has never been more crowded.
45min gentle session on my second hand Elite Wireless turbo trainer
Start the morning run before 7:00 AM and if you see a pedestrian coming your way – change the side of the road :D
Enjoying the spring weather with a daily morning ride. Followed by #PEwithJoe and enough laughs to get through the rest of the day. :-)
A run around the fields close to my house!
I get out at the crack of dawn for my runs, so social distancing while running has been a piece of cake. I feel for everyone else who has to substantially change their plans. Thanks for the giveaway Ray, and stay safe.
Tour of Watopia Stage 4 Race [Zwift]
Went for a cathartic 5-mile hike in a nearby state park.
Yesterday at lunch while working from home, managed to do the Zwift 2x20m FTP workout up the Alpe and got a little closer to earning my Tron bike.
Zwift’s Cervelo Jungle Rush Series Round #1
I’m getting ready for a session of strength training and hangboarding in my living room :D
Some easy strength training to keep the muscles up and running during easy sickness.
A good hour ride on TrainerRoad in the basement.
My 14th day in a row on the roll. Still many more to come!
TrainerRoad FTP ramp test in the garage, followed up by yoga
Yay trainer!
Its my rest week but the last cycling workout was in 21-30mph winds @.@
A one hour indoor trainer ride on a sunny day.
There’s still snow outside, so bike trainer being put to good use
Catching up three cats all around the house, today I earned 3 scars ;)
Carrying my 2yo while walking the dog and cleaning house.
Indoor ride using TrainerRoad.
I’d love to win this! My last socially distant workout was a pre-dawn run – no people out anywhere!
30 minutes on a stepper watching YouTube. Not too fun..
I ran by myself
My last workout, or rather “workout” was biking with my 15 yo daughter. S the social distancing requirement was not very strict as we are the same family. But I was pretty amazed how good skills my daughter hs on slippery and muddy tracks even with her hybrid bike that does have quite slim tires. I was a lot slower and more careful on my mtb.
Last run was a 10k outside in the sun!
Last workout I managed was 4 miles of sprint repeats
Core training exercises ?
trainer ride galores
The Mountain I usually run on was closed (Federal Park), so I ran on the streets around it. Not quite as fun, but at least I got outside. I did try to give a wide buffer to a few of the elderly people I saw out for a walk. They looked afraid and were relieved when I switched to the other side of the road.
My last socially distancing workout was with my sister. We rode 5 miles to our nearby park and back. It was really tough for here as she spin her way up hills in granny gear. A 30 lb bike for a 100lb rider must be difficult. I rode my single speed and had a nice recovery ride.
Zwift ride :)
11mi trail run in the coastal California mountains near the Monterrey Bay
The last workout I did while properly socially distancing was a group workout with Tower 26 on Zwift, complete with Zoom! My FTP is going to skyrocket during this time, it’ll make up for my swim getting 100% slower.
Back to weight training at home.
Just done nearly 2h hike/run in the nearby forest. I didn’t meet anyone, except trees and a couple of birds.
A tour of Watopia in my social distancing cave!
No proper workouts here. Quarantined for the next 3 weeks at least. The best I can do is Pilates.
Went for a 10k paddle. Can’t do that anymore…
1 hour indoor bike ride
Solo Tempo run, in the dark of night.
Just a run on my own
I’m running in my balcony… I want to ride there too
15 km cycling to the work
My last social distancing workout was in my building on the bike. A much needed stress relief as I work in the hospital and times are a little crazy!
I’ve been riding TrainerRoad while Zwifting in the good ol sweat box (garage).
3 miles run through still snow covered trails
I got a ride outside on the first really nice day we’ve had in a while.
Zwift Cervelo gravel ride
8 km time trial run.
Social Distancing via TrainerRoad in basement
So much TrainerRoad.
Went for an easy trail run at one of few open parks in my area.
Running at oh-dark-thirty this morning. Not as many cars with the “Safer At Home” directive.
2hrs in the trainer in Z2-Z3.
Indoor recovery ride!
Solo rides are so boring. Groups are much funner and safer.
Weight training at home this morning.
I simply went for a run so late no one else was around, also the kettlebells are swinging in my living room a lot more than usually…
Did a casual zwift ride while virtually cheering on a friend doing interval training.
32 miles of mud/rain at Midsouth100. Bike broke gloriously
Les Mills The Trip workout on my stationary bike
Physical isolating is easy with Trainerroad and a Kickr. Still winter where I am, so honestly not too much difference so far
Took my Urban Arrow for a ride with my daughter to see some Cows and Sheep. Barely saw anyone.