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.
Blue Angels, Blue Suits*, Blue Ridge Mountains
This weekend was both busy and relaxing at the same time. Just depended on which day you were looking at. As we left off on Friday, I had finished up the Bike to Work with the bagel, and then biked … Read More Here
Bike to work with a bagel day
Yesterday was the last day of National Bike to Work Week, and many cities were making it the official “Bike to Work Day” – including the Washington DC metro area.As noted earlier in the week I had planned to partake … Read More Here
Stickin’ it to the man
Over the last two weeks of travel I’ve accumulated a respectable number of stickers to put on my bike case. Cause really – a plain bike case is about as lame as swimming laps in the kiddie pool. I do … Read More Here
Bike to work day
As a reminder for all you folks out there – May 16th (Friday) is National Bike to Work day (here’s the details for those here in the DC area). A quick Google search of your city name and “bike to … Read More Here
Whistler Weekend Wrapup
I’m generally not content with staying in any one place very long. So after five days back in DC following Wildflower, it was time to jet back to the west coast for some international skiing action. Oh, and the fact … Read More Here
Whisky Foxtrot
Where I work, there are a number of sayings that originate based on phrases from the NATO phonetic alphabet. This phonetic alphabet is used by organizations worldwide to aide making it clear which alphabet letter is being said, particularly over … Read More Here
The tire that just keeps on truckin’
Last summer and fall I was having the mother of all issues with flat tires. I was flatting about once every 10 days. Seriously. ONCE every 10 days, sometimes more. The good news is I got damn good at changing … Read More Here
Wildflower Race Report: Where art thou…?
Wildflower has a bit of a reputation, both on the course and off. Off the course it’s known as the ‘woodstock’ of triathlon. And on the course it’s known for dishing out the pain.The long course has its renowned huge … Read More Here
Cal-e-forn-ya
I have arrived. Well, I’ve arrived in California anyway. I’m not sure I would arrive to otherwise really. Although I swing through the state with an odd regularly (at least once a month it seems somehow), I tend to forgot … Read More Here
Become a Brooks Running Tester
While bumbling around Brooks’ site trying to find a specific t-shirt, I stumbled into this little section off the main page – which allows you to signup to test out Brooks shoes. http://www.brooksrunning.com/Fun+Stuff/Become+a+Lab+Rat/ I tried signing up, but apparently I … Read More Here
GW Parkway 10 Miler Report: Aka – the mother of all negative splits
Alternate titles: “Top 20 finish”, “How to take photos on the run”, “How not to take photos on the run”, “How to lay down a monster 100 yard sprint finish”, “PR baby”, “I should cycle 90 miles the day before … Read More Here
How a long bike ride should be
Over the last few weeks I’ve been kinda bummed about some of my long rides. While I was getting in the distance – my performance wasn’t exactly where I wanted it (or needed it to be). Some of it can … Read More Here
Robots at an Ironman Transition Area?
If the Japanese have their way – quite possibly. In this week’s TGIF video I present to you some solid evidence of impending transition area world robotic dominance. This system can handle over 9,400 bikes, so a paltry 2,000 at … Read More Here
Registered for NYC Marathon…again.
I tried last year to get into NYC Marathon via the lottery. But it didn’t pan out (aka I didn’t get lucky). I’m trying again this year for the lottery. If it doesn’t work out I’ll simply pick up one … Read More Here
Newspaper Running Roundup
Think of this like a bit of a link clearance. Stuff I saved up that’s interesting, but didn’t have any specific post to put it in.Running is a drug:Most of us have felt the ‘high’ of endorphins after a good … Read More Here
Let the sun shine…and the rain pour.
Sometimes, you’ve just got to stop and enjoy the day. So I did just that. While last weekend inaugurated the warm weather back to DC, this week brought in the *nice* weather. Woohoo! After my 20 mile run and then … Read More Here
The Womens!
Here’s your random TGIF video. I went on a bit of a TGIF video vacation. But I have a stock pile again and will occasionally post them for fun. While I only rarely visit Slowtwitch, this video is pretty hilarious. … Read More Here
Never shop on an empty stomach
Note, my list only has 5 ‘true’ items on it. It has three others that are inked in on every piece of paper (it was a free shopping list magnetic notepad at some grocery store years back). My total items … Read More Here
Trust the Fork
I think my weekends are getting busier. And not just from training – but life in general. I’m not sure at what point combustion will occur, but I’ll let ya know if it happens. Friday: The Washington National’s moved from … Read More Here
Tomorrow: Shower with your helmet day
There are certain days every year that are well celebrated by the masses. Christmas, New Year’s and Independence day come to mind (and many religions/countries have variants of those major ones). Then there are those holidays that are still well … Read More Here
New bike sure to ‘get you lots of girls’
When I’m searching for a new product I try to focus on whether or not it will meet my needs across a number of requirements. Generally those requirements are specific to the vertical application associated with the product I’m buying. … Read More Here
One year later: My first triathlon training workout
Well…I made it through my first ‘year’ of triathlon training. It was this week one year ago today that I did my first training for a triathlon (exactly one year ago yesterday). I had decided to signup for a 70.3 … Read More Here
The Squirrels are out to get me
This weekend was chalk full of stuff. Let’s begin where all weekends begin…SaturdayA few weeks prior a local race director/triathlete (really good one) had e-mailed me asking if I wanted either into either the National Marathon or a local sprint … Read More Here
Running: Love or hate?
I saw this last night on TV, pretty cool ad from New Balance. Exactly how I feel sometimes.Btw…officially the shortest post EVAH from me.
Inpatient, patient or persistent? How to find event photos before the event posts them
So I’m antsy – I want to see my race photos from Saturday. But, the folks at Ironman California (well, technically ASI photography) aren’t so quick. However, being a bit of a computer dude, I figured I’d trace through how … Read More Here