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.
Le Tour de Drugs
I started off and really enjoyed the Tour de France for the first few days. They had it rebroadcast from 8:30PM to 11:30PM – so at a time I could actually watch it. But I got pretty busy the last … Read More Here
Rhode Island Ironman 70.3 Race Report
The entire race can basically be summed up in the following: “Holy CRAP did I just bike that fast?”. But, since I’m not summing it up in just one short phrase – you get the full race report. Logistics: The … Read More Here
Pre-Race Weekend Update
Since I only have a few minute before I have to head to bed, this will be mostly a pictorial. First swim wave is at 6:00AM – YIKES!. Which means I’m up at something like 4AM. Ugh! Friday: Went down … Read More Here
Random Musings
I couldn’t decide what to post. So I posted nothing. Not to say I don’t have plenty to post – because I have many saved/drafted posts (dozens). It came down to posting a ‘How to make fresh pasta’ photographed post … Read More Here
17,575
It’s funny. A few months ago I was reading a friends blog (he’s an Elite Triathlon dude) and he noted weeks where he was pushing upwards of 20,000 yards. I thought to myself then…wow – there is no way I … Read More Here
My Arch Nemesis: Indoor Trainer Workout #2
There are three workouts each week that give me pause. Not surprisingly, all three are long. Not necessarily hard or painful – just…long. They are: Tuesday 20-miler (technically it’s a 2 hr 30m run, but it ends up being about … Read More Here
How to refill protein stores after a triathlon
Yes folks – there is only one answer to this dilemma of refilling protein stores: Fogo de Chao.(Public service announcement: If you’re a vegetarian – this particular post is probably not exactly for you, you’ll want to tune back in … Read More Here
Touristica
After the century ride on Friday, it was time to clean up the pad and prepare for my parents to arrive painfully early Saturday morning. I spent the weekend (and today – Monday) running around doing all sorts of interesting … Read More Here
Boo-Boo and Bambi
Today…well today was a long day. I knocked out my first century ride. Technically 101 miles. Except, this wasn’t no flat-ground century. Nope, this was back up on Skyline again (in case you haven’t noticed by now – every one … Read More Here
Stickin’ it to the man! Part II
Back a month ago Jade Lady commented that I seem to have ‘rules’ for everything. That’s not entirely true. I only have rules for everything that should have rules. As Calyx pointed out – logical things: Like Sticker Accumulation, Cowbell … Read More Here
2008 Philly Triathlon Race Report
It will be my attempt to keep this somewhat short. However, usually I fail in that endeavor. Actually, it will be more photogenic than usual, with less text.Saturday:A good friend offered to both take photos…and fly me up to Philly … Read More Here
Friday Night Lights
Less than 36 hours from now I’ll be finishing up the Philadelphia Olympic Triathlon. One of the fun things about this race is it’s considerably shorter than all my races thus far this year, and also shorter than my upcoming … Read More Here
The long run
Given tonight was my usual Tuesday 20-miler night, I had about 2.5 hours to think to myself. While I was realizing the error of having a Chipotle Burrito for lunch (holy crap…no really..holy crap – I had to go so … Read More Here
A relaxing weekend
This weekend I decided to lie low a bit. The last few weekends (ok..more than a few) have been so jam packed that I barely had time to breath. With the next few weekends returning to the same (race, family … Read More Here
A Trifecta of Fail
The last three days leading up to Friday the 13th have not been particularly successful in the DCRAINMAKER world. Let’s do an instant replay – shall we? All aboard the failboat for this three-day tour:Tuesday (Day 1 of the Trifecta):Things … Read More Here
Ironman…or Rocketman?
Given that Ironman Canada has a few rather lengthy and steep hills, I’ve decided that some of my previously highlighted bikes won’t quite do the job. Instead… I plan to invest in a bike that does a much better job … Read More Here
Yogi!
In many ways, my weekends are somewhat predictable. Run, Swim, Laze Around, Sleep, Bike, Run. Repeat. But, I try and mix things up as much as possible to keep the routine from becoming stagnant. Saturday: I met up with the … Read More Here
Podium Quest Aero Bottle Review
So I already had an aero bottle – why on earth should I get a new one? Well, because my coach said so. And to be fair, I didn’t exactly like my existing one. My previous one dumped out half … Read More Here
In Transition…T1…T1…T1…
After last evening’s 90 minute swim (back and forth a gazillion times), it was time to quickly pack up the automotive transition area and head over to the coach’s place to go through transition ‘refinement’ and practice. Translation: He must … Read More Here
Faux Race
This weekend was a solid mix of different stuff, not overwhelmingly busy – but just good-type busy.Saturday:At 6:53AM I was laying in bed deciding whether or not I wanted to join up with the running group to do loops around … Read More Here
A track race
Some days just go by in a blur…and this was one of those. But – I love these kinds of days. If every day could be like this I’d be thrilled – seriously. 6:15AM The alarm clock starts buzzing, but … Read More Here
Proving that we still have a lot to learn
A bit back I stumbled on this post by Joe Friel’s Blog. Essentially Joe is the god of all things when it comes to triathlon training (and to a large degree running/cycling). While all of his posts are awesome from … Read More Here
Shenandoah Squirrel Showdown
Alternate titles: “My new girl is bi”*, “Sorry Mr. Squirrel”, “Rainmaker: 1, Squirrel: 0”….So my Sunday ride started more or less like any other. I got up at the asscrack of dawn (literally, before dawn) and jetted out to Skyline … Read More Here
The new girl
After a number of months spent living alone, it was time to welcome the ‘new girl’ to the house. While some guys (and gals) go off and bring home any hot random girl they can find, I prefer to be … Read More Here
Battle of the Brownie: Chocolate Fudge Brownie vs Brownie Batter
After a long winters nap, I bring back the Ben and Jerry’s review series. Last we left off, Chocolate Brownie Fudge had edged out the same flavor but of the “Lighten Up” variety. Now, it’s time to move out of … Read More Here