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.
70.5MPH (or 113 KMH in local speed currency)
Today, I managed to get up to 70.5 MPH on human power alone (and a little help from gravity). How you say? A combination of big French mountains and a pair of skies. What I didn’t mention recently is that … Read More Here
The Trifecta
Yesterday was a busy-bee day here in Seattle. I had three sports planned, plus a full day of work sandwiched in between.It started off with a hour long bike ride out to Alki point and back (from downtown along the … Read More Here
Seattle Running
One of the things I enjoy about getting back to Seattle is the running. Mostly because it’s always cool – but without the dryness of the DC area. Although sometimes that does indeed mean sucky rain (ok..most times), but sometimes … Read More Here
The people who say KNEE!
Those who follow my blog regularly may know that I managed to dink up my knee back in November. In short, after the Marine Corps Marathon I got into an overuse injury when I continued to train harder and harder … Read More Here
Voted off the island!
Ha! Awesome! I was watching tonight’s Survivor – more out of interest after my trip to Palau over the holiday break than the show itself. We had been told that the tribal council area was at a place near where … Read More Here
A drafty feeling
So as a amateur triathlete not competing in draft-legal racing I have as much use for drafting as the draft out of my rear end. Which over time is a bit of a pickle I’ve decided. See, from a training … Read More Here
Did ya miss recording Ironman Hawaii (Kona)?
Well the TV gods have granted you a second chance. Think you can handle getting Mr. Tivo all working this time before the big day? If you choose to accept this challenge, then tune your Tivo’s to: February 16th, 2008 … Read More Here
Garmin Tip: How to clean the contacts on your GPS
Have you noticed that your Garmin 305 (or similar) takes longer and longer to first initiate a data dump to the computer? My guess is it’s probably that your contacts that are dirty. No, not the ones in your eyes … Read More Here
Chicago Marathon Folks: Watch out for running balls!
So today is the big day if you’re planning on signing up for the Chicago Marathon. Registration started at midnight this morning (CST timezone) for the 31st running of the Chicago Marathon. Today’s TGIF post brings you a reminder to … Read More Here
Sport Tracks 2.0 Released!
Woohoo! Sport Tracks 2.0 was released earlier this week. I had been beta testing it a bit for a few months now, and it’s awesome. Here’s a quick overview of some of the new stuff. For those of you not … Read More Here
The water bottle assembly and storage system
Some ideas I manage to conjure up myself…but others are best borrowed. I was at a friends house for a party a number of weeks ago and noticed that they had dedicated a full kitchen cabinet for water bottles. It … Read More Here
Brickman
After yesterday’s brickage – I am the brickman. Well…technically these dudes down in Texas are the brickman, but I certainly feel like I could be the brickman. Yesterday’s swim, ride & run was the first time I’ve done three sports … Read More Here
Tri State Ride (aka: A Cold 55 Miles)
Today’s weather was looking much more promising than last week’s Saturday ride. The weather had peaked a bit above freezing a few times over the course of the week, melting off any snow on the pavement. And there hadn’t been … Read More Here
Box o Swim Stuff
Despite both DHL and USPS’s best attempts to keep me from getting my box of stuff, I have succeeded in taking ownership of it. (Side Note: If I pay for DHL shipping, I don’t want DHL to hand it over … Read More Here
Any problem can be solved with a hacksaw
It’s generally an awesome day when I can solve a computer issue with a hacksaw. It’s a super-awesome day when the device still actually works after the utilization of aforementioned cutting paraphernalia. I had to use a hacksaw because some … Read More Here
Bike Fitting
About a month ago, I had a bike fitting done by Coach Ken Mierke, a local triathlete coach and active poster on Trifuel.com. I had originally asked for advice on Trifuel back a few months ago about getting a bike … Read More Here
A frozen slip and slide
Some things in life are more difficult in the snow. Activities such as building a house, sunbathing and gardening come to mind. Some activities are easier in the snow; such as skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. And then there is riding … Read More Here
Running it all off
There are certain times of the year where running with less is better. For example – 100* in the summer – the less you wear, the more comfortable you are (at least me). Running along a sandy beach – perhaps … Read More Here
Ten Random Tips for your Garmin Forerunner 305
I wrote up some of these a while back in a comment after a friend got her new Garmin 305 GPS late last year. But figured I’d clean them up, add a few and put them here for all the … Read More Here
Getting a speeding ticket while riding a bike
In case there wasn’t any doubt already – I present you with further evidence that Virginia’s lawmakers are quite simply dumb. And if you visit the site to read the full story – you can even watch a nifty video. … Read More Here
Tales of the Ghetto Geko and Abominable Snowmen
Today I bring you the tale of two creatures – intertwined by a nice forty mile ride. The Ghetto Geko First, we start with a little ‘situation’ that arose a few weeks ago while kayaking in Palau. Something mighta-sorta-occurred involving … Read More Here
How to be like Gumby: Competition Style
In this week’s rendition of TGIF stuffs, we return to video to drive home the importance of proper stretching and flexibility. Of course, I’m probably one of the worst offenders when it comes to stretching. I generally do the only … Read More Here
Supersize Me
A few weeks ago my brother, dad and I were at Target in the toy aisle having all sorts of fun with the various kids toys when I stumbled upon a rather interesting toy set (side note: We were shopping … Read More Here
The State of my State
So this is my 2007 wrap-up and 2008 goals post all in one – and a few days later then the rest of the blogosphere. Cause really – ya’ll got your fill of reading the resolutions and goal posts last … Read More Here
Weekend Wrap-up
First off – Friday night I finally got my act together and registered for next year’s Nation’s Triathlon (an Olympic distance event). Given my enjoyment at this past year’s event, I added it to my schedule for next (err…this) year. … Read More Here