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.
Because of a recent injury, my weekend workout plan is spending time in bed with a book and an iPad.
I’m probably to late, but my weekend’s workout was actually non-existent due to the fact I had to study. Normally it includes (since it’s getting colder) an Zwift session for +- 80 km.
I hope you had a great weekend!
I had a 5k time trial… can’t wait for Parkrun to return!
Two short off road runs in the western fells of Lakeland, Cumbria….
Gonna do a light run!
Planning on doing some hiking and biking if it doesn’t pour!
Some endurance rides on Zwift. It’s cold outside ?
6k “Easy” run… but not so easy in 33 Celsius!
Training for my first triathlon, so run Saturday and cycle Sunday.
Long and easy zone1.
Watching tour of Flanders
A solo ride on Saturday and a ride with the girlfriend on Sunday!
I didn’t do anything but my husband did so when i win the price is for him.
Strength intervals and a spin class, plus an hour walk.
Rest on Saturday. Surfing on Sunday
I’m going for a bike fit this week so hopefully a pain free 100km with my mates this weekend
Hiking in some Polish mountains ?
Sat – bike ride in hills
Sun – hilly long run
Hiking in the Polish part of the Sudetes ?
I did a virtual half marathon in 1:23 :)
Ramp test :(
I did a 20 min FTP test on Saturday. Sunday was recovery.
baby swim classes rocked the weekend
Probably having a run or more likely drinking hot chocolate…
Physically close but socially distanced walks with my girlfriend
Kicked off the Zwift Run Academy having completed the Road Academy. About to be deluged with professional contracts …… or not :-)
My Workout Plan: watching the best race on earth (tour of Flanders!)
Just the usual long slow run in the beautiful autumn.
Recovery rides rulez my weekened!!
A 24km long run with the last 5km getting progressively faster
Look forward to the new partnerships.
Running, inevitably. Spending some time on a rower and a newly installed bench press if I manage my time well.
cycling and celebrating my b’day
Recovery on saturday and leg day in the gym on sunday
A tough mountain bike loop in Cape Town around Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles, offering some big climbs, world-class trails and views.
Taking it easy because of high hamstring tendonitis. No running – a quick hike and then hitting the gym.
A virtual half marathon
Just an easy run, still no motivation after completing my first marathon.
It was rock climbing on Saturday and a short trail run on Sunday
Long walk with the family in the AmsterdamseBos where I was 2 peanuts in an electric bakfiets
Saturday will include a half marathon, whilst Sunday probably will be rest and maybe a short swim!
Eat-Sleep-Run-Repeat
Thank you so much for all your thorough and helpfull reviews. I have been enjoying and using them for years (although only seldom regretfully)
This weekend I plan only streching
My weekend plan was to ride from Nice (France) to Saint Tropez on Saturday (105 KM), eat a pizza and sleep 10 hours before a 16 KM race on Sunday morning. The race was cancelled, I ran 26 KM instead on the littoral, then slept one hour and rode back to Nice. The cycling was not intensive, my goal was to loose some weight and recover the intensive run. I lost 1.5 KG!
Just two shorts runs one at a slow pace and the other with some rythmn
this weekend I plan to run along with someone that runs a marathon
Coming weekend I will do a virtual trail race that was canceled in the spring.
Had a 15 K run! Good luck everyone!
A 100+km ride on the race bike and a nice 15km run
Did the first indoor trainer session of the season!
some bike, some run, some movies :)
First trainer sessions are done
Home trainer session… hard and sweetie
Considering I am in quarantine thanks to having contact with a COVID-infected person, I hit up the YouTube workout scene and did what I could to keep moving.
100k before Ronde Van Vlaanderen
Saturday: long run, hill
Sunday: long walk with my dog
Cheers!
Time to dust off turbo trainer, due to terrible weather and Covid restrictions.
run bike run love it
Watching cycling on tv and going for a run.
I did a night orienteering race on friday, and had to recover the next two days.
First trip out of town since lockdown! Taking the MTB to the Maluti mountains on the border with Lesotho.
Socially distanced 10 mile run to celebrate a friend’s birthday on Saturday.
One last bike ride fingers crosses
Play badminton on Saturday, track using Garmin watch,
Do recovery with light elliptical on Sunday.
My weekend workouts will consist of a bike workout and speed skating. Depending on the beautiful Dutch weather ofcourse.
I did a very muddy MTB ride on Saturday. Took my all day Sunday to clean the equipment :-)
just went out for an autumn run – was more like early winter though :) – fun anyway
Elite Turno
Have been training for marathon race due this weekend but will be recovering from the famous virus instead ;-(
Reacquainting with Watopia after a break to focus on running… WE WERE ON A BREAK!!!!
A few hours mountain biking, then a few hours cleaning it.
Pretty much all my weekends are spent hiking until the fall colors disappear.
Run + stretch!
Unfortunately, I didn’t work out at all, and grilled at the beach instead…
My plans were a bike and a run, what ended up happening was some great fall weather with a nice fire and a couple drinks. And one bike ride.
Fall tour(s) in nature with my baby daughter in a stroller, armed with Komoot and Fenix => link to youtube.com
Tempo run this morning, then back to the workweek
Saturday – Morning muscle pain turned into a physio session
Sunday – Physio session turned into a forced recovery period as muscle pain was indicative of a possible injury to come.
Zwift turbo session Saturday, rest day Sunday.
Doing a weights based workout Saturday. Does assembling a water rower count for a workout?
Exciting news for your Ray. You continue to be my number 1 resource for reviews on the products I actually care about!
Saturday: Recovery from a Friday Fartlek
Sunday: 9k run to get back into the swing of things ready to smash a 20min 5k (hopefully!!)
Thanks for the competition!
Saturday Camping in Maryland – Cunningham Falls State Park. Sunday packing everything back in my shed.
Weekend workout plans. Recovering from an infected vasectomy. :(
Ran a virtual marathon with my friends! I did it for fun
I did a couple easy runs in good fall weather.
1 mile run each day while trying to avoid the rain.
Peloton workout and outdoor trail run with the dog.
Mountain biking on some quieter trails.
I’ve got a 30 mile ultra to run – pretty much untrained! Should be ‘fun’ !
Besides two run session over weekend it was hard sunday workout for my eyes. Trying to watch Giro stage and Ronde at the same time isn’t easy.
I’ll go climbing on sunday morning and saturday (depending on the weather) a hike combined with a Bivaque /campfire bbq.
Watching Giro&TOF
Too much damned time on the indoor trainer because it’s still not safe to go ride outside.
SAT – some metolius hangboard workout
SUN – resting time and test some new running shoes
Zwift (for the first time in ages – the weather here is terrible!), and then a hike to check out a lovely bit of waterfront acreage that just came up for sale locally.
A long walk Saturday and nothing Sunday.
Nice cold AM ride
hopefully riding my bike
My plan and execution were: Zwift on saturday morning, before the kids were up and normal weekend groceries run. And long and steady on sunday.
Saturday I did a 7 mile trail run and then sat in recovery boots after.
Sunday I recovered further on the couch.
A couple medium length runs and starting the fall cleanup of our yard.
Hi,
Netflix without chill for some days or recovery
Friday: running in the morning
Saturday: a hard session with the bike
Sunday: a long session with the bike
hopefully with good weather condition :)
Saturday – Trail run 8miles
Sunday – MTB, exploring a new trail
exploring more of the neighbourhood on my speedy folding brompton bike – and hoping for a ROAM to help guide me!!
Rock Climbing Friday, Hike in the glorious Yorkshire Dales Saturday and Easy Local Road Bike Spin on Sunday-Today is Monday so it must be a run day!
8km ride in the forest with my son on his first pedal bike
Sat – 30ish mile windy, gloomy, road ride.
Sun – Walk in the woods scouting white tail deer sign.
Rain all weekend. Stay inside.
I spent the weekend in Greece, discovering the culture and the food. Especially the food. I also has some swim there.
Did a 10 mile ruck this weekend
Fall Ride Saturday
Run with the dog Sunday
Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains with my family!
Did a 5K race through an apple orchard.
I’ll be avoiding my TrainerRoad plan by trying to get out for an outdoors ride instead.
Too nice to not ride outside today.
Sunday – Steady Bike, 60miles through some hilly terrain.
Went for a bike ride and then baked bread.
Lots of mountain hiking before the snow and winter hits properly.
Finished with a quick dip in a mountain lake, 75% covered by ice!
Long ride on Saturday (without the rains hopefully) and a long-ish run on Sunday.
Thanks !
Ride the Greenville Fondo
Recovery ride on WhiteOak bayou
Saturday was a 90 min group swim, followed by 75k on the bike.
Sunday mostly recovery and stretch with a light 6k shake out run.
1 hour recovery run after finishing a virtual 2500km race with a team of 24 in 12 days.
Sunday was a Zwift Academy Road Training Workout
I had a nice uptempo long run saturay morning.
Easy 3 miles run followed by some pumpkins picking with the family. Sunday -> rest day = lazy day.
Just a weekend hike.
Weekend is over now but did some running.
Ran a marathon Saturday.
Trying to re-establish my fitness. Going to do some rides on Zwift as part of their FTP training plan.
Sat. — strength training
Sunday — intervals on the road bike
Some roller skiing to prepare for xc-ski season! Excited for this partnership!
A HM distance run would be cool !! Hoping to get that.
camping for the youngest one’s birthday
If I have time, I might go for an hour-long ride.
Wanted to bike and run but only ended up running.
It’s a recovery week for me so a Z2 ride on Saturday and feet up on Sunday.
Due to extensive renovations in the house, I’ll be trying to finish the last 20%. Although not directly a workout, I’m losing weight because I’m sweating so much.
Fun gravel/road ride
weekend over, workout was yard work and 30 mile gravel bike ride
Intervals on the trainer and a short run in the treadmill. Inside for the weekend.
riding with my best friends !!!!!!
It was a short run and ride.
Saturday was the 3rd ZA Road workout (VO2 Capacity) and Sunday was a ZA Group Ride on the Champs Elysees.
Went hiking to enjoy the great fall colors in the forest.
Did some weight training plus a short run on Saturday, then another run on Sunday.
Long bikeride hopefully enjoying some sunshine.
Saturday – 110 mile bike ride with about 10k feet of climbing
Sunday – shakeout spin followed by plenty of stretching and hot apple cider
Hoping to get out for a couple of rides with the kids!
Only had time for a honeydo workout this weekend. Hope to resume my weekend riding next week over the Tappan Zee Bridge
All the recovery this weekend!!
A Couple easy runs with yoga
Planning to pace back and forth during a girls softball tournament!
Recovering from an ankle injury, so play time with the kid will be my workout.
Kinda late to this but the missus and I decided on a family run incl. joggers and 2 unhappy kids.
I’m recovering from illness so just some brisk walking.
Saturday am – Zwfit Race
Sunday – endurance ride while possibly watching some football
Saturday – Ran 12 miles on a path
Sunday – Ran 4 miles in a small trail race
Yard work: mowing, leaf blowing, raking/scooping up one bajillion acorns that have been pelting my roof for the last couple of weeks.
I going for a road ride with 100km 2000D+
Had an easy run on Saturday along with weight training + hip and glute work on Sunday.
Recovery ride on the bike, and then intervals on the rowing machine to get my 1 minute power up to try and qualify for the Premier Rowing League!
Sat- walk dog
Sun – disc golf, 7 mile tempo, 2 mile dog run
Saturday was rainy and cold, so it was TrainerRoad’s “Broken Finger” workout, hour and a half long, 122TSS of threshold and VO2max goodness
Sunday was nice, so it was an 85 km road ride with two riding buddies. Plan was “base” which went right out the window about twenty minutes into the ride :)
Saturday road ride, enjoying the fall colours.
Last Saturday: 5 mile hike moderate terrain
Last Sunday: 2 hours of tennis
This Saturday Plan: Long run day on my 10k training program
This Sunday Plan: Rest day, maybe some yoga
Saturday – online conference; Sonday – exercise the dog, yard work.
Recovery workout? Beer (all the essential vitamins and minerals, or so I tell myself), dog walking, and thrashing around the mountains on a motorbike. Netflix need not apply.
I plan to run in the park twice over the weekend.
Weekend plans include enjoying the nice weather in Vegas and riding outside for a change!
Planned some running, but did just some Pilates exercise at the end.
I went out for a longer MTB Ride with a lot of Trails. Sunday was relaxing with a shorter hike and a bit pool time.
Long hike followed by a binge watch…
A nice short 30km ride to enjoy the leafs changing colour on saturday :-)
Get some long endurance rides in while the weather is still good
My weekend plans included a lot of running, however, primarily from one kid’s soccer game to the other kid’s game.
Depending on how my week goes I’ll either go on a long run Saturday morning or a long bike ride.
The rest of the weekend is disc golf and playing with the kids!
Trainer and long run for the weekend
Rainy run on Saturday but saving something in the tank for a full day of cutting glades in prep for ski season!
My workout this past weekend (since it’s Monday) was a 40 mile sweet spot/tempo ride. It was extra long for the “off-season” so I could take in some fall colors. Maybe next weekend I’ll squeeze in a fall colors gravel ride.
My weekend exercise plans include going for a run without kids / jogging strollers (ahhhh, so peaceful) and chopping tons of wood by hand. Followed, of course, by something cold, crisp and malty. Can’t wait!
Two long runs, only one case of bursitis to show for it!
I got to stand in the rain and watch much daughters soccer team
FTP test on the trainer. The real, one hour one, not the pansy ramp test. hard getting motivated for races next year, so I need to see some progress.
Jon S
My weekend workouts involved yoga, my lower back has been pretty unhappy the last few weeks due to a lack of stretching and regularity.
A pleasure, sunday, long run
Zwift workout on my Wahoo Kickr Core and some light walking outdoors. I’m also gearing up for cross country ski season.
Clean the house, give breakfast to my children, make the food, buy food…swim, bike, run…..simply
A nice ride on the local greenway trail, just taking it easy and enjoying the morning.
I got a cold run in and then played some hockey.
Left knee starting to hurt so interval session put on hold and will just do a few walks
Last big run before the Marine Corps 50K virtual. Hoping to get in a marathon distance run.
Longer trail run on Saturday, church on Sunday!
I’m improving my upper-body part by building a shed this weekend.
Race season is done…Party laps to commence!!
I plan to do some biking, trail running and paddle boarding!
Had a great backpacking trip through Dolly Sods in WV, though it was a bit cold.
Spent the weekend moving domiciles. Hoping to finish up soon and get back to normal exercise.
Hiking Great Falls with the kids while masked. How’s the pizza oven coming along Ray?