Heads up!!! Here’s your massive Cyber Monday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $429, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $619, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, (or Hero 13 bundle for $339!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Loved it!
Fantastic. Have a good Christmas and a happy New Year, and yes – looking forward to 2021…
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everybody in a Maker Family!
Great trip, even saw a place I cycled through on a bike trip to Amsterdam from the UK a couple of years ago.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
That was really sweet. Thanks for doing this every year.
I was supposed to work from Amsterdam this past summer. Fingers crossed for next summer!
Happy holidays to you, your family, and everyone else on the site.
It’s official.. you are a Dutchie.. but I bet I can beat you at this game.. I went to pick up my wife and our first born child from the hospital.. on a bike!
(I then realised that I was trying to be too Dutch haha.. or rather my wife politely told me that haha)
Merry Xmas to you all!
Sure was easier for me to carry my Hannukah Menorah around!
Happy holidays to y’all!
Excellent, really enjoyed that! Thanks.
So initially I thought….Wow! Ray is totally a trooper. He’s got all three kids with him on this crazy Christmas bike trip and then I realize…..Doh!….”The Girl” is holding the camera. You guys still get props for best Christmas Tree extravaganza.
awesome ! so great for your peanuts to experience different cultures and lifestyle
Snack – keeper! I need such person for every ride!
What a great video! I hope you make a tradition of that too.
Broken leg? I hope not with her leg in the spokes of a bike? Classic Dutch bike error!
Marry Christmas to you Ray and your family.
Too much fun! Sorry to hear that one of the Peanuts has a broken leg – I hope she’s back to full health soon.
Merry Christmas to everyone!
Very nicely done!
Ray – Merry Christmas to you and your family. Really enjoy your posts all year. Stay well!
very nice! Best video for the entire year…
merry Christmas!!!!
OK, you guys win the Oscar for best bringing home the Christmas Tree by Bike Cinematography & Videography Award.
Happy Christmas y felicidades Ray to you and all the family! And thanks for all the great posts this year :)
Nice Tour de Vondelpark!
All I want for Xmas is a eco-friendly tree net wrap. :)
Hope Sinterklaas was listening.
Merry Christmas Ray and Family,
Love the video, it looks like a lot of fun. Nice way to end this year. Hope next year is so much better for everyone.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
That video was fantastically entertaining! I hope y’all have a wonderful holiday!
That thumbnail came out very well.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and your family!
Thanks for the video. Envy your wonderful life and family in the Netherlands. Have a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year.
Video was a nice changeup, beautiful place you live. I was supposed to be there for a few weeks right when Corona ripped its ugly face. I’m sort of surprised to see the same sort of mask flaunting there that we do in the US right now (the ‘ol dicknose look at the tree shop, and total ignorance elsewhere in shops) that we see on this side of the pond. Makes me feel a little less embarrassed at being American. Cheers to 2021 looking more like normal at some point – Happy Holidays!
It”s nice to see you enjoy the Dutch bikery! I never thought about any of it till I introduced my Spanish girlfriend to it who was completely amazed seeing guys on bikes holding a crate of beer with one hand on the ‘bagage carrier’ and the other hand in the pocket to stay warm.
Have a good year!
Never gets old, never get tired! Keep it up, my friends!
Nice Christmas trip around Amsterdam. One of my brothers lives there. Planning on bying a Canyon with dura ace power meter. Keep up the good work!
No helmet… wouldnt go in DK
You are a super cool family.