Heads up! There’s some pretty substantial sales that just started. For watches, the Garmin Epix is down to $499, and the Fenix 7 to $449, with the Pro editions also $200 off! Meanwhile the top-end Edge 1040 cycling GPS is down to $499, and both the Edge 540 & Edge 840 are also on sale. As is Varia radar for $149. Some incredible deals, and ll the deals are 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:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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 and Equipment 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! 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 2023 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.
Getting ready for the CX season!
Saturday scoping out a route for me and Sunday doing a less hardcore one with the kids
Set up a new spin bike and trying it out!
One hour trail run Saturday, then geocaching and hiking on Sunday.
Walk outside in the snow with the family, waiting for the x-country trails to open
Saturday: family fun outside
Sunday: long training ride
My weekend workout was to hike with my daughter at daddy-daughter day at a local camp. We hiked, I wore my Garmin, but getting the steps to transfer to Garmin Connect has been a struggle. Ugh. At least the hike was lovey!
I plan to ride 40 miles over the weekend
I got extra runs in before first snow!
12 mile run on Saturday
Recover on Sunday
Hitting the treadmill!
Thanks for the giveaway, Ray! I did some trail running this past weekend as a prep for a 100K this coming weekend.
Simple run in the dark
Saturday trail run and Sunday unplanned recovery day…painting the bathroom
My weekend workouts these days consist of pushing a weighted sled many miles…. otherwise known as taking my son for a walk in his stroller.
Hope to put my voucher towards a running stroller!
Gravel ride in the local woods.
Beach day Saturday – there are a few perks to California living! Peloton ride Sunday, and a run Sunday evening.
Thanks for all you do Ray!
Pushing a stroller around the neighborhood…
Weekend workout: strolling the kiddo around the parks and watching the leaves turn
Sneak out early AM for a bike ride. Thanks for your website, love your reviews.
A little bit of cycling around Longchamps here in Paris!
I’ll see a new episode in HBO and a turbo trainer at the same time! Then rest and enjoy with my fmaily (maybe a little bike workout with my 4 year-old son)
Take my daughter out in the jogging stroller one last time this year.
Saturday – Ride bike and test out to see if my knee has recovered.
Sunday – Ride bike, stop at the farmers market, and get a schnecken.
What I did this weekend. Mount Goode +4 (Trainer road). 4×15 minutes at 95-99% FTP with 5 minute rests plus 25 minutes at 65% after. And I added 15 minutes because more is better. :)
This weekend we got pretty lazy on Saturday, but did some strength training yesterday. My abs are definitely feeling it this morning!
Looking for a 15km run while chilling around the beach.
Saturday involved a lot of hiking for me. It was beautiful.
I will spend my time with my family, a nice walk with them is just what I need
A cool long run on Saturday with a stroll around the park on Sunday to enjoy a long weekend after crazy work deadlines!
Just a quick 20km bike ride on the Peloton bike followed by an easy 5km run – both Saturday and Sunday.
Saturday: some cycling commuting
Sunday: 15k trail long run (still recovering from a 100miler from last weekend)
Cap off a good OW swim run (getting cold now).
went for a run on a ‘trail’ that should of been classified as a wall.
Typically I like to tell my wife I plan to “get gutted this weekend” but my weekends have been full. Ive had one monster workout in the last 30 days.
So Im hoping this Friday to “get gutted” before plans get in the way
Had two decent medium distance run Saturday and Sunday!
Currently recovering from a crash, but next weekend looking to get back outside on the gravel bike to try out some new tires!
Short run in the neighborhood
MTB Saturday, road Sunday.
It’ll be a game-time decision based on how I feel and what the weather turns out to be.
A netflix rowing workout.
A good trail run and a good road bicycle ride
Rainy tri training, good break from Florida summer
Exploring a new (for me) gravel route up the local mountain. Had a double puncture last week on my tubeless setup so should be fun (and interesting) on the new tires.
19mi marathon training run on Saturday then an XC MTB race on Sunday. A weekend full of suffering!
Snowy trail run with my wife on Saturday morning followed a hike yesterday. Seems like the end of the Indian summer we’ve been having here in Montana.
45 min easy bike and 40 min easy run to start the transition into ‘off-season’.
Continuing slow progression to normal post injury, plus lots of recovery.
Gravel hills!
I went for a nice 10 mile run on Sunday afternoon!
3 mile walk with pushing a 1 year old on his trike…… no, he doesn’t have a heart rate monitor…. yet!!!
My weekend workout plans included (unfortunately) recovering from a total hip replacement surgery the prior Monday. Future weekend plans include, but hopefully not limited to, walking around the block with the dog and then maybe soon getting on my indoor trainer with my trusty seven road bike and starting to build back strength in that pesky right leg… Future weekend plans call for more of the same until I am cleared for activity and then getting outside on the Lynskey GR250.
Zwift academy workouts!
Kayaking the channel islands
Good question. Last weekend I supported a youth sailing event so staying in a tiny motor boat that was bouncing all over the place was something of a workout. Intending to try some online dance classes starting this week.
Hoping to get in a long run or ride Saturday and some diving on Sunday.
Bike ride Saturday testing out a new set of wheels. Rest/walk on Sunday, and did some great cooking. Coming week looks like lots of zone 2, with a little bit of VO2 work.
Hopefully getting out for a run this coming weekend.
1) saturday morning “group event” on zwift with one of my friends
2) binging schitt’$ creek
Just some MTB’ing at a nearby state park.
I’m going to run 10 miles. Please pick me
Saturday relax day, continuing the construction work out our appartments and sunday sports, starting with a 70 km MTB ride up around Amerongen followed by a nice track session in Alkmaar in the evening!
Rest day to avoid the heat Saturday, ride and run Sunday!
I plan to go hiking on Owl Trail near San Francisco. Check it out!
Last weekend of big work before the finale race of the virutal race series I’ve been doing all summer. Virtual 70.3 this coming weekend, so couple good efforts before taper.
I almost lost this! I was busy to crash during my MTB ride this weekend ;)
The plan is to put in some and 18 mile run for my first Ultramarathon, then a 6 mile recovery run then 2nd day.
Zwifting, route hunting
a short ride to enjoy the fall weather and foliage. Not too long sadly as I have to save energy for housework.
Friday: Ride up to Sausalito for family-time at a boat house
Sunday: Ride up to Half Moon Bay for family-time at the beach
I did a run where I found my son’s hat in front of a museum. 2 hours after he lost it.
Hopefully dust off the road bike for a New England leaf-peeping ride.
Spent Friday Night Out Camping, and Saturday until Dark as a Scouts BSA Trainer. The specifics I taught Adult Scouters were Outdoor Ethics, and tag-teamed a Hiking overview, including front country, back country, canoe/kayak trips, AND bike-packing. A cold front moved in Saturday night, so spent Sunday Socially Distanced from everyone except the wife, who I snuggled with on Sunday. Supposed to be cold and damp this week, except Thursday, when warmer than average and windy. I’ll find a sheltered greenway for a long mtb ride.
Keeping up my masked maintenance runs and mentally preparing to break out my Zwift setup yet again. One day I’ll make it a habit!
Half marathon on Saturday, aiming for a marathon race.
Scouting out new roads for Funk Bottoms Gravel
Went for a long ride Sunday, it rained at the end (around 50F) then got a flat at the end and had to call my wife for a pickup – but I’m still glad I did it.
Plans for the weekend include bike ride on Saturday, 100 miles, and tennis with my two girls (6&8). Would love to spend the $500 on Garmin Vector 3 power meter for my wife.
Walk with our son. Recovering!
Saturday is always family day so recovery and gentle walks.. Sunday is long run day, ideally on the trails or UK fells.
Saturday will be spent on Zwift getting another route badge followed by time on the rower.
Sunday will be a nice long walk along the beach to recover.
Overlapped with the impending rain in Seattle on Sunday for only the last 30 seconds of ride, so a resounding success then.
The ride was ~100 minutes in zone 2 after an overnight fast on beautiful local roads. Good for the body and mind.
Weekend plans include spending time in the woods enjoying the fall colours! Beautiful time with the family.
mountain bike in michigan followed by netflix
Learning MTB skills.
Likely running an easy 10k. Mostly resting!
Shopped for new set of wheels since the wheel that came with the crumbled.
I’ll be visiting family, so probably no workout this weekend.
Weather was beutiful this weekend so rode outside both Saturday and Sunday.
Next weekend: outside road ride if the weather is good, trainer ride if it isn’t.
saturday peloton ride … sunday fall (outdoor) ride
A recovery walk in a local park with the dog while my husband goes for a run, isometrics at home while watching tv, reading or listening to music and far too much overdue household maintenance to contend with at the weekend. Whatever one is or isn’t doing there is some sense of a guilty conscience for not doing the other!
Saturday was a 2.5 hour hike with 40lbs on my back (mostly my son), and Sunday was a 4 mile run through Bethesda, Maryland!
What if I leave a comment that doesn’t include my weekend workout? Am I still eligible to win?
Trainer ride, 2 runs, and a long swim. Trying to catch up on Dexter while on the trainer, my wife can’t wait to watch with me.
Over the weekend, I did a yard project, which included using a wheelbarrow to move 6 cubic yards (not sure the metric conversion…) of soil to the back and then planting grass seed. Got my steps in, but found that running is not quite the same muscle group as shoveling soil!
Hi Ray!
It’s been hella busy lately due to midterms, and I’m going to use this weekend to recover from academic fatigue, as well as from running/cycling during weekdays! (:
I plan on pushing myself to a new cycling distance limit, which for me is > 52 miles. I’m targeting a 55 mile ride along the coast.
I’ll be joining my cycling club for a ride, unless it’s raining, in which case I’ll be Zwifting in the basement.
Recovering from a cold this weekend!
Long run along the Connecticut shoreline at sunrise with great running buddies (staying distanced), followed by breakfast, coffee, and a hot shower. Best way to start the weekend!
Group ride and some long slow runs!
10 mile run on Saturday
I plan on getting back to strength training this weekend.
Going hiking, running, some (leisure) swimming in a pool, and maybe a few 12oz curls while vacationing out West!
With 1 yr old twins and it getting cold in Canada, my weekend workout includes nap-time Zwift for as long as they sleep lol
Run bike row the Chiefs football!
Trainerroad takes care of my plans, no need to think too much about it !
13 mile easy run, it went great in new shoes.
Running in a 12 hr Cancer Center Charity Run
Indoor training and ice cream
Hitting the Watt bike hoping to put a new lower weight and BMI on the Index S2
A weekend virtual Olympic triathlon is on the books.
Long ride Saturday, easy indoor cycle on Sunday
Hiking with the family!!
These weekends are reserved for hiking through one of our beautiful national parks. Recovery weekend at its best.
Some road bike around the city enjoying the good weather
50miles on the bike on Saturday…Sunday cooked Moule frites and feel asleep to Flanders
I had the longest run of my marathon plan over the weekend. Too bad the event (mid-Nov) itself was cancelled a fews week but figure I may as finish the plan.
This weekend was a celebratory weekend for me.
My brother visited from out of town, so we went on a bike ride around the area and earned some caloric deficit before pigging out (or should I say refueling?) and celebrating both of our birthdays since we are both October babies!
After he left, the deficit was not enough so I spent some time looking for some inclines / climbs just to work a bit more Korean BBQ & Boba off!
Hello Ray! This weekend my plans include a long 20km run on Saturday, and some recovery on Sunday ☺️
I am training for my first ultra marathon – the Comrades Marathon here in South Africa. I follow a current running program at the moment, with “rest” days. Usually on a weekend I will run 15km+, or go for a hike or trail run. I am dead keen on different workouts and will be getting a MTB soon to help with that. Even on rest days I love to move!
Netflix, Recovery is important! :)
Turn my daughter’s bike into a mountain bike and go try it with her of course!
Showing up late to the party, BUT – ran 17.3 miles on Saturday and another 8 on Sunday. Hoping to be ready for a long solo “race-effort” between 26.2 and 30 miles sometime in December!
Weekend workouts are usually rest/chores on Saturday, then long runs sunday’s.
Riding outside!
Plans for the Weekend: get the new tubeless tires in the wheels…
100% recovery
A long hike with the dog on Saturday and a long ride on the trainer on Sunday!
Hoping for good weather for a ride or two up here in Canada.
Plans are two running sessions and a rollersession with TrainerRoad. Winter training starting here in Norway
Riding a corona proof Paris Robaix challenge on the dutch cobblestones. Hopefully next year on the real cobblestones in North France.
Stay and Ride Safe
Debating whether to run on rail-trail or along the Lake Ontario Lakeshore for this week’s long run!
3 hours on the trails on the mountain bike in the morning followed by an easy recovery swim in the afternoon.
Cycling and running within 5km of my house as we re-enter COVID19 lockdown
Take time to recover after a ling run
Two bike rides, one easy, one hard
Picked up a Garmin Fenix 5X Plus on Prime Day. Plan on testing it out all week and weekend. Just getting into running and cycling and really excited to see what this thing can do. Thanks for all you do on your site and YouTube channel. It’s been a huge help in getting started.
I plan to cycle 19 miles Saturday morning, play disc golf for an hour or two after that, and then try to pop off a 65 mile ride on Sunday. I also intend to eat a lot of food.
I plan to go for a run and a ride!
I ran 13.5 miles over to my friend’s “homecoming” tailgate and back before the football game.
Next weekend I plan to do run training each day.
Longer bike ride, hopefully on both weekend days.
Long run time. Base building ahead of a marathon training plan.
Mountain biking and fall color looking in Truckee, CA
go out and train by bike for the Stoneman Glaciara in silver
Slow lazy MTB on Sunday to just enjoy and feel the fall one last time before the snow
I will ride my indoor bike, lift some weights and do some push-ups. Yay me! :)
Saturdays and for lifting, and then some nice long base miles on Sunday. Hopefully the rain holds off!
A sunny run on Friday and a rainy gravelride on Sunday. Typical Dutch weather.
And of course enjoying the Giro and Tour of Flanders.
Next weekend I will most likely just take care of my son and have some fun at the playground while my wife will be working.
Starting to creep back into Ironman training. 3.5 hour ride on Saturday and 1.5 hour run on Sunday. Getting it done.
I’ll spend a few hours of Saturday on the Kickr in the blue zone, since the weather forecast for Sweden looks cold…,, try and get a run in on Sunday that’s about it and plenty of cold beer.
Going for a beautiful fall run along the Charles River here in Boston. The most wonderful time of the year
Gonna hopefully do a dirtbag ride to some quasi-legal street meat shop for something akin to a hotdog.
Boinging around the local mountain-bike trails
So my weekend plans were a rest day and a MTB ride to see some of the gorgeous autumn leaves along the banks Of the canal near me. Mother Nature is putting on a great display to take my mind off the pandemic and no racing in 2020.
Ride for >5 minutes if the newborn allows it.
I’ll be spending time with the family and if I can sneak in a workout or two, I’ll be a happy man.
Low intensity, long distance cycling!
Saturday: long run; Sunday: Zwift
I am new to the cycling world, and I’m excited to attempt my first century ride! With beautiful weather this Saturday, I am excited to complete it with beautiful fall colors around me! On Sunday, I will probably do a recovery walk and enjoy the weekend.
A recovery run after a week of HARD swims ;)
Keeping fit is even more important nowadays in this corona periode.
Bought a new saddle for my MTB, so went out for some short rides, and picking up the running again today. Between a fitness activity.
Next week(end)’s: by bike, by foot (just in the water missing ;) )
So, keep healthy to all.
Long run with stairs and weighted vest, and most likely some sort of indoor trainer workout.
Easy run and long run. Tapering for in person race next Sunday!
I’ll start zwift academy road .Better late than never!
Netflix and chill
Last weekend, cold and rainy so indoors on zwift. Next weekend, sunny and cool, so planning 50 mile ride along Lake Michigan shores.
I hard somme rester eightshopnow kits: sometimes this si Google ;)
My weekend training included Zwift Academy Road Workout 3 – “VO2 Capacity” on Saturday, followed by The Sufferfest “Long Scream” after doing an hour of heavy leg weight training on Sunday. Thank goodness it’s Monday!
Run and mountain bike trail through the Blades (trail routes through the UK’s largest windfarm!)
Taking a hike in some misty foothills, hopefully will find some mushrooms to add to my risotto for dinner!
Me and the wife celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary this weekend, so a partner WOD at the gym. Then dinner and early night ?
Golfing for my bachelor party! Active recovery with some carbs!
Ran my first 50 mile ultra this past weekend! Of course was virtual but had a lot of fun.
I will climb the Freita mountain by bike.
Finally accepting it may be time to come inside and hop on the trainer!
Glorious gravel riding in the Queensland bush
The upcoming weekend includes an hour at or neat threshold on the bike and a 14 mi run the next day. Wheeeeee!
Since the Valencia Half Marathon has been cancelled for this weekend, we will run the 21.1km’s in our own neighborhood instead.. #nevernotrunning
Riding the coastline with my wife, getting beaten up the hills thanks to turbo powered e-bike assist!
My weekend workout was setting up our campsite, hiking, and then breaking down camp in 25ºF weather in MN. Too bad the camper’s heater wasn’t working ??
The plan is for a 5.5 mile run on Saturday and 45 minutes on the bike on the trainer in the basement.
My weekend plans involved a trip to a pumpkin farm with the family (does chasing a toddler in a maze count as fartlek?) and then had a Sufferfest 4DP bike test on Sunday. Ouch is all I will say.
I hope to get out for a 50k road spin on Friday afternoon and again on Sunday morning, somewhere in the North East of Ireland.
My weekend plans are to go for a run and to hit some golf balls. Thanks DC Rainmaker.
I will do a 100km bike ride in the mountains.
I’ve got a 75 mile ride planned for this weekend. Woof
Rode across the Golden Gate bridge and ran 4 miles. And Netflix :)
Doing my best to map the routes to all local breweries by bike – working up to making it out to Purcellville
Stroller running for me
Let’s hope the weather is good enough for a ride or some golf (but more than likely kids sporting events)
Run 75 min and 1km Fast Finish ??♂️
Wait, did I miss the weekend already? Busy running away from this pandemic and setting up the pain ‘space’ for this week’s return to virtual group training.
A nice 10km trot within the 5km lock down limit
This time, it’s mine Ray,… It’s mine !! :)
My plan: a nice Mountain bike Ride or a small run… Or both. Or maybe Netflix !
I’m going to be running on Saturday as part of a Marathon plan and mountain biking on Sunday for fun on Mill Creek Trail.
Checking out some local gravel sections.
My weekend plans are to set up a greenhouse and finish winter prep for the yard.
I’ll be doing my best to collect vertical gain here in Rhode Island.