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.
Because it’s October: Garmin Edge 520 Giveaway
It’s somehow October already, and it’s been months since the Giveaway Extravaganza, and far too many months since a standalone extravaganza. I really need to have more of these. Partly because I love giving away stuff. And partly because if … Read More Here
The Power Meters Buyer’s Guide–2015 Edition
[Please see my 2016 Edition of the Power Meter Buyers Guide Located here.] Once again, it’s time for the annual power meter buyer’s guide. It’s mind-boggling how quickly a year has come and gone, and just how many more entrants … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
Just a very short 40ish hours back at home this weekend in between trips – but I made the most of it. Here’s what I was up to! 1) Flew back from Canada I started off my weekend with a … Read More Here
A Week of Mountain Workouts in Kananaskis (Canada)
Well that was a busy week. Phew! I left Paris early Monday morning for the annual ANT+ Symposium, located about 75 minutes outside of Calgary (Alberta, Canada), in the Kananaskis Country area. Basically, the mountains. The Symposium is where the … Read More Here
Garmin rolls out Connect IQ to Edge series devices, announces new updates
It’s been precisely one year since Connect IQ was unveiled at the ANT+ Symposium. This morning (at this year’s edition of the conference), Garmin unveiled their next phase of the platform. Since that unveiling last year, Garmin has rolled out four … Read More Here
GoPro Hero4 Session In-Depth Review
Please note: My Full In-Depth Review is now published and available. Please click on over to that post to get my final impressions of the unit. Enjoy! It’s been about almost three months since GoPro announced their Hero4 Session action cam. … Read More Here
Interbike Power Meter Tidbits Roundup: Pioneer, Xpedo, WatTeam, PowerTap
As seems to be more and more the trend, the majority of power meter news came from Eurobike this year – with only smaller tidbits coming out of Interbike this year. Things such as pricing changes and slight model adjustments. … Read More Here
The New TomTom Spark: First Runs & Impressions
Earlier yesterday I had the opportunity to test out the new TomTom Spark GPS watch. This unit is unique in that it includes not only a new optical HR sensor, but also adds in music playback via Bluetooth headphones. Further, … Read More Here
LOOK’s new dual ANT+/BLE Power Meter Pedals: A bit more information
Back at Eurobike, LOOK quietly showed off their new dual ANT+ and BLE pedals, which effectively upstage long-time partner Polar in what used to be a dual venture between the two companies. These new pedals are physically similar to the ones that … Read More Here
Hands on with the Dyno Velo power meter
At Interbike this past week a startup company was showing off a new entrant into the crank spindle power meter world. The Dyno Velo power meter is currently planned to hit production next year, for a target price of $399. … Read More Here
Kinomap rolls out new Strava-focused app, Intervals app, and Tacx Trainer Bluetooth Smart support
Kinomap, one of the more popular trainer apps out there has expanded their platform with two new apps, one focused on Strava, and the other for Intervals. In addition, they’re going to become the first 3rd party app to roll-out … Read More Here
CompuTrainer to add WiFi controller, ANT+ & Bluetooth Smart support
RacerMate, the maker of the CompuTrainer, is preparing to release a new controller that includes support for WiFi, ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart. They had the head unit (controller) on hand within their booth this year at Interbike, and were able … Read More Here
TrainerRoad shows off new desktop app, plus Android plans
Today at Interbike TrainerRoad demo’d their upcoming desktop app refresh. The goal of the app update, aside from looking prettier, is to lay a better foundation for new features going forward. And to a large degree to just make finding … Read More Here
BSX Announces BSXinsight 2.0: Adds Muscle Oxygenation, KICKR Control, and More
(Update – Jan 22nd, 2016! I’ve now published my in-depth review of the Gen2 unit. So you’ll want to swing over to that post for all my thoughts after months of real-world usage. Enjoy!) Today BSX announced the second iteration of … Read More Here
Stages drops prices, down to $529US
Two weeks ago Stages tweaked their European pricing, along with announcing their first carbon crank offerings (and talked about dual left/right power meters). Today at Interbike they announced their US pricing, bringing the lowest model pricing down to $529USD – … Read More Here
Wahoo’s new GPS bike computer–ELEMNT: Hands-on first look
Heads up April 2016 – Update! My Wahoo ELEMNT In-Depth review post is now available and published over here. Definitely swing over for all the details! Wahoo has made their first entrant into the GPS bike computer world, with ELEMNT … Read More Here
I’m featured in Runner’s World Magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in Running
Holy cow! I started getting tweets and notes last week that I’d apparently been featured in Runner’s World’s 50 Most Influential People in Running piece, but didn’t have the chance to see it for myself until the Newsstand App updated … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
It was a whirlwind of a (short) weekend back home, with the majority of the weekend spread out across three different continents. Here’s what I was up to. 1) Flying back from Africa As it seems many weekends start, first … Read More Here
Week in Review–September 13th, 2015
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
A Sunny Swiss Weekend in the Alps (with Lucy & The Girl)
First off, this post is a bit delayed about a week…or two. Sorry about that! But I know many of you enjoy the non-tech stuff, so here’s a look at the 2nd weekend I had in Switzerland. For this one … Read More Here
The Favero bePRO Power Meter In-Depth Review
In many ways, the bePRO power meter is the little unknown underdog that snuck onto the scene earlier this summer with a very simple declaration: We’re here, we’re new, we’re cheap, and we’ve already started shipping. How ‘bout them apples? … Read More Here
An Accra (Ghana, Africa) Runaround
I’m just about to board my flight back to London after 48 hours here in Accra, Ghana. I was down here for a smattering of work meetings over the past two days. As a super-quick African geography refresher, here’s where … Read More Here
Recon Instruments cuts Jet’s price, and actually gives back rebates to early customers
I normally wouldn’t have posted on just a standalone permanent price cut unless I felt it was of immediate interest to a large number of people. However, I think what Recon Instruments has done is more intriguing than that. See, … Read More Here
A Tour of the DCR Eurobike RV!
Ok, you’ve got nearly a dozen Eurobike tech posts out the door (and two last stragglers on the way), but it’s time for something a bit more fun: A tour of my Eurobike RV! While the 6.98 meter long camper … Read More Here
Eurobike Connected Bike Lights, Locks, and Lube
There’s always been talk and demonstrations of the ‘connected bike’ at Eurobike. After all, it’s a buzz phrase. You can stick ‘Connected’ or ‘Smart’ in front of anything and it makes your product instantly marketable. Sorta like when people put … Read More Here