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.
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.
Zwift Tour of Watopia Stage 5 Group Ride last night. Alone in the pain cave.
Thanks for keeping us going and engaged. I have been tackling a 6 week running plan on my Nordictrack Treadmill using the fantastic, newly updated, iFit App. IFit trainer Tommy Rivers Puzey has been a wonderful companion throughout Portugal and Morocco. If you don’t have one of the treadmills, I highly recommend as there a many sales. Thanks again and stay healthy and fit.
I did my first Ride in zwift on my old tacx flow trainer!
Last workout was a 30mins Indoor bike session on my old trainer. Thanks
I know they are your partner and everyone needs to put food on their tables, but CleverTraining has some of the worst customer service I’ve ever experienced. I recently purchased a Tacx Neo 2 on sale (which I found out about from your site). It arrived in its original box (not inside a separate box) all beat up. It was also defective; the ant+ didn’t work on it. After emailing them and never receiving a reply, I contacted Garmin. They validated the issue and sent me an advanced replacement that day. I still have not heard from CleverTraining about this, but they have sent me many emails trying to sell me more stuff. I get that I might receive a defective item, but I would expect that the seller would respond to emails. Had Garmin not stepped up I’d have a defective $1000 trainer. They will no longer get my business and it makes me wonder how unbiased you are considering they are your partner.
An easy run yesterday alone on empty streets.
8 km run in the park
Simple solo lunch run, which is much hillier from home as compared to the office.
Reading your Cycling Trainer App Guide In-Depth: 2020 Edition
I did some weightlifting at home.
I’ve taken up running again for the first time in years. Got a run in to the local park before breakfast and work.
A nice walk with the dog around the neighborhood.
Ran 3 miles with the dog.
I was able to get a solo outdoor ride in on Wednesday. easy Zone 1/2, 15 mile ride.
I did an early morning run so I wouldn’t meet any people on the biking paths
Zwift Trainer ride on the MTB steering course,
A nice walk around the neighborhood with the dog.
Tour of Watopia stage 5
Hiked the hills at a nearby state park with 30 pounds of kid on my back. Had to dodge a few carefree/careless teenagers on the paved parts, but the trails were lovely.
Early morning run at 6 am. for about 6 K. Everybody was still asleep.
Solo run through the woods, from home to lakeside and then back. And all dog owners took detours around me (or was it maybe the other way around…)
Solo-Ride until I hit a parked van… So lot’s of social distancing for me an some time.
Not getting the chance to SD as an essential service but getting a serious workout none the less.
Zwift, zwift, zwfit. Simply zwifting my days away.
My wife and I got a 6 mile run in on an over-crowded bike path in Upstate NY with a 6 year old on his bike and the younger two girls in the jogging stroller. It felt more like doing intervals because we stopped so many times to admire each and every squirrel, rabbit, bird, etc! Help!?!?!
A rapid walk that was
Just an easy run around the neighborhood, trying to avoid any people.
Ride 70 km and broke spoke on the front wheel.
Have to remove a brake pad from one side to return home on my own.
I went for a run, and crossed the road to avoid the only other person I saw out
Zwift workout – ERG mode – Avg 195 watts – 131 Avg HR – Age 43 – Felt? Great :)
Solo Bike ride out from my house! Saw a handful of other cyclists out but we made sure to stand away from each other at any stop lights
Due to foot surgery a couple of months ago, my last “workout” was a slow 3 km walk in the forest.
My last workout was pre-lockdown :-( Cruel that the sun shines so!
Inside. Need to run!
Make 2km of a freestyle swim, one people for line, just s day before the club was closed.
Thanks Ray, best regards
Still getting in some running. Trying not to lose motivation
solo ride this morning
Solo ride outside last night before we’re confined
remove a grass
place a new fresh rolled grass layer
Trainer road workout inside
Bike trainer for the win! It helps that it’s still winter here…
I went for a ride outside and had to go into the other lane to social distance myself from packs of cyclists. Then I got passed by a 20+ peloton. I’m going to ride this one out inside from now on.
Solo run in the early morning, and a wide berth as I pass other runners.
Trainer ride and Zwift
I woke up and got a run in outside while it was still dark…not a soul to be found!
Running alone in the forest (as I usually do).
In my basement on while watching trainerroad on youtube
Parks and beaches closed yesterday. I managed a short run on the streets this morning.
Morning strolls with wife in the weekends, and biking in RGT on Tacx Neo on weekdays.
improvised strength work in the garage yesterday
improvised strength work in the garage yesterday
I was able to get out for a nice solo ride three days ago. Sun, blue sky, nice breeze…good way to take a moment to forget about everything going on.
Did an indoor trainer ride on my new refurb Kickr (thanks for posting the deals about them)
Two treadmill runs, total lockdown in South Africa
I was pulling the kids in their wagon around the block a few times :)
Cycling outside on my electric bike.
Even though I accidentally hit ‘bin’ instead of ‘save’, I know my Zwift ride actually happened.
Went ona beautiful run in the fields by my house. Made me forget about all the problems…
Just back from a walk. A bike ride, with some new gear, would be better.
A solo ride down PCH from Camarillo to Malibu in Southern California
Went for a long jog with my 2 year old in my Thule
TR Elephants + 2 workout on Monday, right before tweaking my back :/
My Vortex Smart and Trainerroad have kept me sane while working g from home and managing two mini-mes. Ajit to jump on for the next session!
Went for a 12.3km out and back run in the rain along my favorite running route, listening to the super inspiring book “SHOE DOG” by Phil Knight (Founder of NIKE!). If you haven’t read/ listened to this book and you’re a runner + into business, I highly recommend this book!
Also, Ray, I’m racing IM Canada in 2021 – Please hook up a trainer =P Thank you sir!
80 minutes of easy trail running on the hills above the city. In the dark I did not meet anybody.
I do solo runs, and some RGT rides.
Zwifting inside on the trainer, instead of getting out amongst all of the people in NYC
A quick bike ride on streets, instead of crowded trails.
Short run around the neighborhood w/ the wife
Finally making use of the used Vasa trainer I got last year. So far only 5 minutes at a time before my arms are toast, but I’ll get there.
Managed to get a run in. The MCM club is doing a scavenger hunt type thing, where we look for something specific during each run to take a picture of. Today was monuments. There’s a replica of the statue of liberty in a local cemetery, so I ran there and got the picture. Didn’t see another soul there. A 5 mile run altogether. When my daughter finishes her on-line class in a few minutes I’ll pull out the bikes and take her for a short ride. She has been getting a little stir crazy.
I ran around neighbor hill, because my wife doesnt let me have a trainer. This way I will order it anyway ;)
Ride alone, outside
A gentle run. One of the benefits of living in rural Scotland I’d there ain’t many folk to be too near!
Because the athletics club isn’t allowed to train anymore I can use the track whenever I want. So I did a 6x3min interval training
A nice Sunday running while social distancing.
Keep up the good work
Same as probably 99% people posting, Zwift.
Long run in the neighborhood… you know, social long distancing.
At least I could go running outside :)
I went for a run at 6 and went wide around everyone who tried the same.
Just tried my first workout on Bkool : fun! Now heading to test Zwift!
thx!
The time was 6am
In total lockdown so Zwift.
I got out for a 35 mile ride on a beautiful 70 degree day yesterday! So many people were out, but I made sure to not closely pass anyone. Thanks Ray!
10 Push ups every time before I go to the restroom. Drinking a lot of tea while at home, it adds up!
My wife and I have been increasing our run mileage early in the AM…have never seen the roads so empty at 7 AM – will be over 35 miles for this week (once Sunday hits).
Stay safe to all!
I went for a four mile run along the Anacostia Riverfront Trail in Washington, D.C.
I did an easy 30 min on Zwift on my non-smart trainer.
Fribeegolf with my daughter.
5 mile run outside. Felt great! Kept far away from anyone I saw (which wasn’t many).
Sufferfest’s Do As You’re Told, overlaid on Zwift, got to get that XP!
Trainer in the backyard while the kids were playing !
Did some core excercices in the hospital gym before they closed it down :(
Trainerroad, Fletcher…
Watopia three sisters ride on Zwift :)
I had a lovely group bike workout on an old trainer over a zoom meeting
Nice short run around Piedmont Park – as long as you avoid busy morning/evening hours, the paths are usually pretty empty.
Did a quick 10k run after working from home for two weeks now…
Went for early morning run :)
I went on a ride whilst keeping a safe distance from others today