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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
Me vs the Hurricane
Let’s be clear…I won vs the Hurricane. Well, actually…we won. Because I’m tired and already behind a day on getting this written up and posted, we’re going to go with pure picture mode. Booyeah! (Our little Spot Tracker GPS trail) … Read More Here
The Tattoo
There has been much discussion amongst the populous regarding whether or not I’ll be getting a tattoo with a little M-Dot logo or other pictorial to signify my finishing an Ironman.To round up some of the comments:Jeanne took the more … Read More Here
The rear rack
I’ve received a number of e-mails and questions about my rear hydration/rack system on my tri bike. So this is just a quick post to explain the various components. The reason some have asked is that the Cervelo’s P2C’s are … Read More Here
A ‘relaxing’ loooong weekend
Well…that was the plan anyway. Sometimes things doesn’t exactly go according to plan.Post-Ironman is an interesting time. Once the initial muscle pain subsided I still had the general fatigue in my body. Just always tired, but not always sleepy. For … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – The day after
Ok, final post in what will have been a week’s worth of IMC2008 related stuffola. And then you’re IMC free until next year. For fun I wanted to do a quick recap to cover all of the the things you … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – When the clock strikes midnight
I think there are two points in the day that truly define an Ironman event. The first is at 7:00AM – when the masses churn through the water in a display that rivals the opening ceremonies. It’s one of the … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 Race Report
(My brother in the 5AM hour writing in chalk on the run course) Before I get started, in case ya missed it, here’s the days leading up to Ironman Canada, covering all of the pre-race action: Day 1, Day 2, … Read More Here
Rainmaker…you are an Ironman
More details later, but without a doubt the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. The deets: Swim: 1:06:43 T1: 2:53 Bike: 5:29:12 *Note: One less happy 6-y.o. who T-boned on his bike against my bike at mile 110 … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – Day 3
The peach. This is where it all begins, and all ends. Four times to be precise. You leave the beach behind the peach above on the swim and you see it again during T1. You go out for a casual … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – Day 2
This is my second day up here, after arriving yesterday. As I mentioned yesterday – my goal is to streamline these posts, so I’ll try and keep it word-short, but mostly pictures. I’ll post again tomorrow for the last time … Read More Here
Ironman Canada 2008 – Day 1
Well, after two days of travel – I have succeeded in arriving at the site of Ironman Canada. In an effort to streamline this, I’ll try and keep it word-short, but mostly pictures. My plan is to post each of … Read More Here
Big Brickin’
As usually happens, the week before a race is filled with short – but high intensity bricks. During the 7 days leading up to IMC, I’ll be doing 4 different bricks of varying lengths. While I do bricks every week … Read More Here
Enjoying the Taper
I continue to have more time that I know what to do with. So, I’ve been filling up the rest of the days will all sorts of fun things to keep me busy. Friday: After knocking out a mini-IT2 trainer … Read More Here
Space in Time
This week has really brought on full taper mode. That in and of itself has resulted in me having a ton of spare time. However – add to that the fact that I’m now working from home I’ve been able … Read More Here
How to make fresh pasta
Back a while ago Sarah #1 asked when I would publish how to make fresh pasta. And Sarah #2 noted earlier last week that pasta is her favorite food. I’m not one to disappoint, so here ya’ll go. It’s no … Read More Here
How to make bad BBQ
Another weekend, another busy boatload of stuff. In my continued attempts to keep things short, here’s the quick version.Friday:After having fun with the usual Friday IT2 trainer ride, it was time to watch the opening ceremonies. Without a doubt the … Read More Here
Thursday Randomness
Hmm…here’s a list of random things and thoughts from the last few days.I’m actually starting to almost enjoy my longer swim sessions. Well, now that I think about it, there are no short swim sessions. The ‘shortest’ session I have … Read More Here
How to use CO2 for cycling – a beginners guide
So perhaps you were like me – afraid of the little cylinder. Perhaps you thought it would just simply explode on you, or that when you went to use it you’d end up putting more CO2 into the the sky … Read More Here
The Last Century (condensed version)
In an attempt to appease the blogosphere, I will try and make this weekend workout recap short. Really…I promise Sarah and Peter. So let’s jump right in. Saturday: Continuing the week over week increase in swim time, I swam 1hr … Read More Here
Back to the track…and Seattle.
The last few days in Seattle have been great. I’ve been out here for work, but I’m able to get a ton of non-work things in as well.After arriving Monday afternoon I swung downtown to pickup my relevant conference speaker … Read More Here
Shark Week
Ever since I was a kid I can remember watching Discovery Channel’s Shark Week – which typically occurs during the last week of July (this year July 27- Aug. 2…aka NOW!). Way back when (probably 10-15 years now), the content … Read More Here
Kayaking, Long Swims and Rifles
I’ve been a wee bit busy over the last few days – especially since Thursday afternoon. I’m SOOO far behind in e-mail, catching up with reading folks blogs, and really just about everything. So here’s the rundown. I tried to … Read More Here
Blueberry Bonanza
After doing IM70.3 Rhode Island I drove down to Connecticut to hang out with family there for a few days. Last Tuesday while still up in CT I went blueberry picking with my family. The weather was perfect for it, … Read More Here
Going Long
This weekend was all about the long game. Long swim, long bike. The usual long run comes Tuesday. I actually spent Saturday morning baking, making a nice breakfast and making ice cream (which is a post for later this week). … Read More Here
Bizarre Bike Barrage
Keepin’ it charged, pedal powered At the Ironman Rhode Island 70.3 Race Briefing they specifically highlighted that you aren’t allowed to text or carry a mobile phone conversation while on the bike course. The officials had noted they had given … Read More Here