Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. 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.
A 1 hour workout on mi kickr core.
I doubled today. Did hill sprints by myself this morning, then doubled with my daughter and wife this afternoon for a two mile run!
I got in a 17 mile easy ride after work. First time this year it felt hot!
Currently recovering from having the appendix out(I didn’t need it anyway). Haven’t done a real workout since before this whole thing started.
I continue to run here in Canada, respecting the proper distancing guidelines
TrainerRoad workout, so not actually any change there. Still in my garage
Zwifting in the basement, and can only be enhanced by upgrading my trainer!!
I did a wonderful ride in the San Gabriel Mountains yesterday and am heading out for another now!
Zwift ride that kicked my ass, tacx neo seems a lot harder than wahoo.
My first Peloton ride using the free 90-day trial and a $300 Sunny spin bike from Amazon. Not bad for the investment.
5km interval run along the creek with what seemed like the entire neighborhood.
I just completed a stage of the tour of watopia on zwift.
I’ve actually managed to keep up on my training because I typically ride inside this time of year. #gozwift
Hotel gym at Renaissance Palm Springs
Easy 30′ ride on Zwift. Seemed no busier than normal
I cycled up the coast from Copenhagen to Helsingor to see the Castle where Hamlet was (allegedly) inspired…
Last afternoon trail run before complete lock down in Cape Town, SA. Even to took a pic to document the social distancing. Now for 21 days of complete lockdown…
This morning I did a 2 hour tempo ride on zwift, and then later introduced my 7yo to Zwift. He loved it and rode three times.
Core workout at home every night. Easy to do and longterm injury prevention.
Walking around the new neighborhood for the house we just moved into, not the best time to move. This weekend should allow me to get my zwift on!
tempo run around the neighborhood this morning
I rode Zwift in the basement by myself.
I completed a one hour TrainerRoad recovery ride in preparation to start Build 2 next week.
I went for a jog. I may have overdone it and can barely move.
I rode my bike through the deserted golf course near my home.
I didn’t shower after my recent 5km run, thus adding +1 to my Social Distancing stat, along with +1 to Constitution.
Taking this time to avoid the local trails and explore new street routes.
4 mile run on the treadmill in our garage
Trail walking up/down a small mountain
Went out with my dog – using a 5m leash :)
Just finished a ride out in Watopia, through some sand and sequioas.
I just started a custom TrainerRoad plan this week and did Ebbets from their custom plan builder today.
I went for a run with my 18 month old. We made sure to cross the street any time anyone was coming the other way on the sidewalk.
managed a run around our village using the roads rather than the paths. easily kept 2metres clear of all those out walking and just had to dodge the occasional oncoming car.
I got in a solid workout on Zwift.
Ran after twin 3-year-olds riding their bikes for 2 miles. Now if only they’d learn to ride more or less the same speed and general direction….
Ladder at threshold on for track Thursday.
400, 800, 1200, 1600, 1200, 800, 400
I rode my bike to work the other day. Except everyone in my office is working from home now, so I turned myself back around and headed back home. I would have been early for work too! ;)
One hour tempo run on some old logging roads – happy not to live in a city these days.
Ran 5k while avoiding everyone on the sidewalk
Did a 30 min ab circuit in the garage. Headed that way for round 2 in 15 min.
Meetup on Zwift
If I have to do one more plank or push up I may walk in to the ocean.
Zwift – Tour de Zwift stage 4
I’d have said a power meter before, but now I’ll put it towards some KICKR accessories to fill out my new pain cave with the KICKR Core I just snagged on sale.
Does chasing after my daughter to get her to do her school work count?
Running solo while waving at neighbors from an appropriate distance.
Rollers!
Biked to the trail and hiked with my significant other. First time outside in the last two weeks, most workouts are being done on Zwift.
Zwift race last night – might have overdone it, felt ill afterward (note – pretty sure wanting to throw up after a race is not a COVID symptom ;) )
1 hour on the spin bike. Need to keep the legs moving!
I did a nice Rouvy route today, endurance pace, no hurry. Almost 2 hour long in the saddle. They have a challenge and they will donate some money to Veneto region in Italy, and the route is a real video of somewhere in this region. It was nice.
Instead of running around my neighborhood, I took to the Main Street and finally hit a side path I’ve driven by for almost 3 years just to see where it goes… 3 miles of wooded (leave less still atm) trail, not a soul. Found my new route… now I need to get rail shoes
I tried to do some indoor biking but my Vortex broke!!
Teaching my 10 year old the joys of trail running
90min trainer session in what will soon be converted to our nursery…simple flat erg power, but it takes the edge off a long day WFH here in Los Angeles.
Old fashioned fluid trainer intervals
Took a walk with the family to get out of the house.
Biked along the water, using my bell these days a lot more to warn other people. Almost everyone following the rules it seems. Hopefully we can keep riding outside despite rumours that it needs to be limited. I ride solo most of the time and it is clear that less people than usual do the effort to catch the draft.
Waiting for my third surgery of my shuttered clavicle am disqualified For riding a biking, so I took the dog for a proper power walk… but I did it and soon I’m back on the bike again. ✌️
Escape to the hills road bike ride, solo 45km undulating bike ride after work before the daylight disappeared, allowed 1 activity per day, making the most of it.
My last workout was power yoga in my basement followed by a walk with my dog.
5k neighborhood run. Working on form and social distancing.
I did a treadmill run in the basement Monday. I have lost the will to train with all my races being cancelled.
Rode 20 miles to, and around, a local park.
Cervelo Jungle Rush Series Rd 1 – Cervelo Aspero on zwift
Running on Zwift!
40 minute run/walk on the treadmill while watching Game of Thrones. Can you believe I’m only on season 2 and it’s my first time watching it!
I have been running in my own as many days as possible. Today, I did 5k time trial because I wanted to burn as much of this pent up energy in me as possible. It felt good to burn those lungs and kill these legs!
I did a grocery store run for yeast at the 5pm time slot. Not knowing where the yeast was stocked, I was down every aisle while socially distancing all the folks just getting off work looking for something to make for themselves and their family. I was successful; got the yeast, didn’t get the corona.
I just downloaded Chris Hemsworths’ Centr app and did my first workout. Not bad, but I want my bike back!
Zwift Tour of Watopia Stage 5 (A)
Personal training lift session using zoom.
we can still leave the house and loop the park solo, so I did an early morning ride.
We’re down to the last stage of the Tour of Watopia and I’m planning on finishing both the rides and the runs.
Been doing TR outside workouts loving this new feature
I did a 60 minute power zone endurance ride on my Peloton today!
Just finished a socially distanced trail run with my recently home schooled daughters
intervals on hometrainer
Just finished a zone 2 basement treadmill run. Nothing like the view of a limestone wall.
I rode my bicycle in my kitchen
Before shingles hit in full force, I got a 10k in for a lunch run.
I did the Joe Wicks PE for kids live YouTube workout this morning. Not my usual bag but, literally, all the kids are doing it.
Outside trail run here in Marin. 10k with about 1400ft of elevation gain! Fun run/hiking and stuff. Plus cows were out!
sprint workout – soccer player training
Last workout was just yesterday spending 45 mins on Zwift.
I got a run in at the track yesterday! 6x1km on 5:00, alternating hard/steady, and put out some decent paces for the hard reps! There were a few small family units playing on the field, we all gave each other a wide berth, but it was nice to feel the presence of other people.
I started an 80/20 program. First ride was 40min Z1 on the trainer. Perfect for catching up on The Fit File podcast. Keep up the good work Ray
6.5 mile run around the neighborhood at dinnertime (when everyone else was eating and hence indoors).
Just a simple 20 mile ride. I bought a new bike just before all this blew up and this was my first chance to ride it. If I win the giveaway it gets a new power meter.
5 mile solo run around the neighborhood last night after the kids were sleep and my chores were done.
I hour steady ride on the most deserted trails I know!
Rouvy ride in the garage.
I did a 30 min easy treadmill run!
90 min virtual ride in Italy
solo run at night and peeing down rain – 5 miles with some interval /sprinting till I kept almost tripping over bunny rabbits-
A double lap of the Volcano Flat on Zwift with my old and busted dumb trainer, plus chasing my 3 year old around all day.
I set a new FTP on the trainer yesterday doing a 30min max effort TT. Winning!
Fortunate to be able to get outside for a run in the Spring weather. Best wishes to you and yours, Ray.
Trail run/walk with my 6 year old!