Heads up! The big Garmin annual spring sale has started, with $200 off the Fenix 8 (first sale to date!), $100 off the Edge 1050, Forerunner 965 at $499, the Forerunner 265, the new Instinct 3, and countless other Garmin products including inReach Mini 2. Plus the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium is on sale, and some Suunto & Wahoo product deals too. Full list & thoughts here!
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
1
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.
2
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!
3
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.
4
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!
5
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.
From Haarlem with Valentine’s love!
You MUST get her a pizza oven!. Arguably is what she is expecting from you.
Yes, Ray, get her a pizza oven. Nothing else says “I love you” like a pizza oven.
What can go wrong with a pizza oven?
Strava art dedicated to the girl!
Ooooh! Newsletter giveaway! How about a night away here http://www.valentineshermanus.co.za
Make her breakfast buddy!!
Very kind, thanks!
Have a great Valentine’s!
Surprise her with a hiking trip to someplace scenic and romantic.
Ray, The Girl does some great PR for you through the newsletters. Treat her right this Valentines Day! Maybe make her some pizza made in a homemade portable pizza oven? (oops)
Hi Bobbie, I’m sure Ray will treat you like a princess Thursday
Thanks! Happy Valentines !
I heard you really love home cooked pizza. Enjoy sunny Cape Town. Jealous.
Happy Valentines Day!
Another weekend away, and this time check the roads first!
Such a generous giveaway! Thanks very much. Unfortunately, I’ve got no good ideas, but enjoy whatever you end up doing!
Ray will do fine but my wife does love her Apple AirPods. Handy when you are somewhere public and want to keep to self or drown out the horrible music Target is playing these days.
Love the newsletter and reviews. It’s amazing to see how much traction your team has gained as an authority on gear and rays opinions are highly regarded. Also, love the famiy highlights too. It’s amazing to expose your kids to so many awesome experiences. I hope to win the gift card for clever training to upgrade our family activity trackers.
Macarons! Don’t know if they have Pierre Herme or Laduree in Amsterdam, but you know there’s few things as good as the Laduree salted caramel macaron!!
Ray, having had the pleasure of meeting you and “The Girl” in December, can I respectfully suggest that you treat to something special this Valentines day – a pizza oven perhaps, or flowers and chocolates…
Happy Valentines all…..
Really enjoy the “below the fold” section of the newsletter!
I think Ray should do nothing and let the girl be “mister” romantic! ? ps. Okay okay, maybe he could sing a romantic Michael Buble song ??
Ray should get the Girl the gift of time! What every parent wants more time, time to yourself, time with your spouse!
Keep up the good work Ray :)
When the Girl makes such a generous offer for the followers you must give her a special Valentine’s evening.
Thanks! Hope you two have a great VDay!
Wahoo giveaway!!!
hi
it is always hard to say what others should do.
But I can say what I that Ray could do that is also supporting some of the gadgets.
– He can run a Heart shaped run for you
– make a secret romantic setting that he shows with a drone and you need to find it to get it.
Lots of romantic things to do in Cape Town. Lucky you!
Go Ray, let’s take Bobby for a Valentine’s dinner!
Has Ray completed hi Pizza oven job list yet?
Hiya from a DC triathlete!!!
Ray! Get a baby sitter and take the girl out for a REALLY nice dinner at one of these:
Spectrum
&Moshik
Ciel Bleu
Aan de Poel
Happy Valentine’s Day.
You are working so hard on your time away from home (he did post a picture of you doing the accounting), you deserve a wonderful romantic Valentine’s day!
Ray, I treated my wife by buying myself a new HRM… Not only does my heart skip a beat every time I see her, but now I have the data to prove it!
Well, I believe you live in the Netherlands, so I guess, there is nothing more romantic than a dinner by the water (maybe the canal if you are in Amsterdam), although at that time of the year, might be really chilly outside.
This would qould be great for picking up a Fenix. Been waiting too long for spotify on my VA3m!
You guys are AWESOME!
Awesome!
The classic – dinner and a movie.
Happy Valentine’s day !
What a great idea for Valentines! I promise to share -almost – half with my better half! :))))
Spam is amazing!
Even though V Day is only a Hallmark holiday, Ray, make sure you do something for the other girls in your life as well. Best to think experience not chocolates!
*Love* the newsletter! Keep up the good work!
Ray should buy you an outdoor pizza oven ;-)
Reckon he should enter another race after the successful top 5 in cape town!
Congrats on your top 5 finish
I shall be cooking my lovely wife a valentines meal of her choice…
I actually think Ray should get his pizza-oven, so you could both have a romantic Italian themed night.
A heart shaped long run on Strava seems like a good compromise between testing running watches and romance!
link to running.pocketoutdoormedia.com
$500 would be enough to get the wife and myself a present ?
For Valentine’s, I’m sure The Girl would enjoy some Purity Kisses.
Great job guys
I’m not usually one for lots of Valentines celebrations (just ask my wife!) but c’mon Ray, do something nice for The Girl!
Hey Ray, you should buy her a kit with hearts on it!
Happy Valentine’s Day !
What’s wrong with a nice romantic dinner? ;-)
Hello! And happy valentines :-)
Weather currently looks pretty perfect for a sun-downers cruise around Table Bay/ Granger Bay… Plenty options that go from the Waterfront!
Thank you for the newsletter goodness! :)
Really enjoy the newsletter.
may have to share with the wife if i win. it is valentines after all
What about running on the beach in sunset and share heart rate :)
Hello
Hi there
A Bouquet of Veggies?
Lovely newsletter surprise! Romantic idea: just go for a pair’s run *without* any gadget at all!
I’m terrible at romantic gestures myself… But a nice evening out with a good meal is always a great idea!
I think my wife might appreciate this more than a box of chocolates!
Whats more romantic than saying I love you by buying a new bike……… fro yourself :)
Keep up the great website and content.
You’re a diamond.
(Hint, hint, Ray ;) )
Ray could make you pizza for valentines. Must be able to get his pizza oven down there.
OK, I’m here. If I win the $500,- I will donate $100,- to Ray with the requirement to use that to buy something for The Girl! I know you’re in Holland and in Holland ‘going Dutch’ means splitting bills etc, but that not romantic at all so I would then want Ray to buy a nice present for The Girl in order to support/fuel her new racing goals!
I will find a great goal for the remaining $400,- … we all win :-)
Br. Jaap Wagenvoort
Bennekom, Netherlands
Good luck, Ray!
Hello, I recommend a foot massage.
Oy with the puns. :facepalm:
Hope y’all have a great Valentines Day!
Leave sticky note suggestions all over the place
Got a photo-frame thingy with photos of all our adventures hiking and riding in AZ and Colorado.
Welcome to sunny South Africa :)
Hi. Thanks
Hi guys! You’re doing an amazing job keeping us informed and entertained about new techy stuff!
Oh and about Valentines ideas… Could you please forward me the ones you are getting?! ?
Regards,
Patrick
Love you guys! Keep doing this awesome thing called life!
come on ray, take the lady on a sunset cruise.
Would take mine but it’s winter in New England and not a whole lot of fun out on the water…
A $500 CT credit would let me buy myself the perfect Valentines gift!
Something romantic? A triathlon!!
Ideal Valentines gift for the girl, a new training plan ;-)
Valentine’s Day couples run followed by massage
Beautiful, thanks so much! Does the credit also apply to the European CT store?
Ray, there’s nothing better than building a pizza oven for the one you love… :-)
First
Happy Valentines Day!
Happy Valentine’s to the boy and the girl
Happy Valentine’s Day and enjoy SA!
Just to say that I love the newsletter tone and format–makes for a fun read every week!
Cool idea!
Well, as you are into cooking anyway a nice dinner would be appropriate, including some good wine?!
An idea for Ray’s Valentine event: visit an Escaperoom game. After succesfull collaboration and escaping, enjoy each others company with a romantic dinner by candle light.
I have never gone wrong with the old classic of a box of chocolates for my wife. I have a gourmet chocolate shop near my office that never fails to please this time of year. In my house at least, you can’t go wrong with high end dark chocolate.
A lovely bouquet of roses!
i will never get a better chance to win one of these giveaways…
I love the newsletter!!
I see a Valentine’s Day sunset cruise for the Makers…
First to comment, but I never win anything!!!
Congratulations on ‘top 5’!
Would be nice to win, the missus is in need of a new running watch :D
New toys for Valentines… just what the doctor ordered.
Keep it up with the newsletter, I really enjoy your style!!
( No suggestions for St. Valentine, sorry)
Nice romantic four course dinner with wine pairing!
Buy the Pizza Oven…
Love the image (and pun)!
Huge fan of the website (and newsletter). Ray – wine an chocolates.
Love is the answer…
Take you out on a surfing lesson!
Thanks for this!
Always enjoy the thoughts of The Girl in the newsletter, so thanks a lot for doing this! Fingers crossed!
How about some flowers for The Girl, Ray?
Good luck Ray.
Hello World! Thanks for a awesome newsletter and reviews ;)
Ray loves you, and I would love to win this giveaway
Breakfast in bed made by him and the peanuts?
Well, I don’t have good suggestions for peer-pressuring Ray into doing something romantic, but here is my comment for the secret giveaway anyway!
Sorry, no suggestions for Ray but a warm “hello” from here. Keep up the Newsletter-Fun :)
Happy Valentines Day!
Love the newsletter, keep it up!
I don’t know if he’s a cooking guy, but Ray could prepare a romantic dinner for you two!
Love your weekly email and look forward to receiving it. Can hardly wait for the Sea Otter Classic where I hope to see you. That trip should be a Valentine’s day present for the girl.
She is right to stay tough on the pizza oven until all the “to-do” list items are done. ?
Not too much like Valentine’s day; luckily my wife do neither. Better to do romantic on random / regular base, then stick for 1 single day of the year.
Woo sectret giveaway! Ray: get her a nice bottle of SA wine!
Thanks for the surprise newsletter giveaway. Still drawing a blank on what to do this year, the 15-20 cm of snow we are about to get has pulled the focus for this week a little.
Hello
Happy valentines!
Woot! Happy VD yall.
Get Ray to take you to The Bungalow for a nice Valentines lunch
Hello
let’s do this !
Hi Girl… It seems your next year destination will be in South America, to nail the three southern continents…
Love to hear from your day-to-day lives on the second section of the newsletter.
Swim, bike and run sounds like a great Valentine’s….
Bedroom power meter review?
Hello!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Happy Valentines day all.. (a few days early)… Now what to get the wife…
Happy Valentine’s!!!
Love the newsletter. As a fellow Boston terrier there needs to be more Lucy!
Buy the girls some flowers Ray
Happy Valentines Day!!
Happy Valentine’s!
a romantic bike tour with a Picknick in the end
Seems to me Ray has a list of things he can do for the lady (that would also involve a pizza oven at some point). But I’m more of a pragmatic-romantic. :)
Been following for years, keep up the fantastic work!
OK, this may sound simple, but it’s guaranteed to work, Ray, girls will always love flowers; since you’re currently living in the Netherlands, tulips will be an easy and evident choice, but aren’t tulips beautiful? ;) Even if you’re still in South Africa for Valentine’s Day, I’m sure there should be tulips in a flower shop down there. Keep up the wonderful work and enjoy your vacation. Best regards
Roses are red, violets are blue. Some girls love flowers, but I think yours wants Di2
As valentine’s day special I suggest Ray shall look after the kids whilst you can have time for running :) Okay, admittedly I am only here to get the prize – I do have not any super romantic suggestion…
Valentines chocolate and wine!
Happy valentines.
Hello, I love the newsletter. Great work!
Yes, please! I need a new Forerunner 930!
There’s gotta be a comment in there somewhere about Valentines and heart rates.
A repeat of the “weekend” away, sans “alien vegetation”!
This is awesome
Unfortunately the most romantic thing I’ve planned for the 14th is a cycle to the dentist with one of my sons…..
Personally I’d be kind of worried taking gift suggestions from the site readership…
“Preferably an idea to peer pressure Ray into doing something romantic for his one and only this Valentine’s season.”
Well, as I see it, Ray works WAY to hard at bringing us all this Tech Review goodness, so my “pressure” would be for the Ladies of the house (all 4 of them) to do a little romantic something for HIM!
A night at the Opera!
Woohoo… Free stuff! I’ll be your Huckleberry..err Valentine!
Sounds like a great weekend. Maybe coupon to do again :D
I think that a nice bottle of Champagne and a food item with truffle in it goes a long way!!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I’m not the greatest fan of valentine’s day, because I don’t like bouquets, but something sweet for your SO is allways nice.
A lovely bouquet of flowers will do ?
Big fan of the newsletter.
Hello there! I think the only thing that Ray could do to be super romantic, would be to buy you a pizza oven….
Well, I guess without a valentine I can at least get a present for myself.
Ray should take The Girl out on a date.
Ray could take you on a sun dawn boat trip for valentine.
He ought to buy you one rose for each bike he owns/has owned
According to instructions: “Hello.”
They don’t have it down there but the Valentines day BOGO promo at Qudoba and a bottle of Cava.
This sure would be helpful in my fitness journey to get buff for my sweetie :)
Buy her a new bike !
Keep up the great newsletter work, it always brings a smile to my face.
Awesome
Intervals, that gets the heart beating fast ;-).
Hello. Is it really romantic if Ray has to be pressured into it? Just saying.
I would go for a Fenix 5s to replace my wife’s broken watch.
Fix babysitter and a table on a restaurant in secret and surprise her with it.
Please Ray, do something romantic and buy a Pizza owen to the girl!
Get the girl some flowers Ray!
I love what you both do – you’re a staple in my fitness world! Thank you! ❤️
Nothing like good ol’ email!
Thanks for filling my inbox with stuff that isn’t boring.
What I’d do with 500 bucks of credit? Hmm… Maybe get the Mrs. a more fancy schmancy sports watch? She enjoys her Vivosport but who knows. I’ll ask her if I win it, that’s for sure.
Valentine’s is just “the day after my birthday” here. No harm with spreading the love through the entire year imho :)
My wife said to forget roses and chocolates. She wants a new beach house.
Hi Ray I hope you are enjoying the higher temp. As much as we, the newsletter family enjoys the reviews. I hope you can find time to treat the girl with a awesome Valentine’s dinner. You could see if Ooni have pizza ovens down in the warm south.
Roses are Red, some bikes are blue, DC Rainmakers Girl has a surprise for you :-) xx
Got to be a romantic turbo session!
Jewelry is usually always well received, Ray. And a nice card!
Should be easy enough for Ray to come up with a romantic surprise in beautiful Cape Town.
Hello..it’s me
Hello there, giveaway!
Frankie says “Relax”
I suggest to go to a nice SPA for the whole day
Love the blog and newsletter! Tell Ray to find a tandem bike and take a ride (or tandem zwift session if he puts if on his trainer). Dual purpose if he affixes four head units to it as well!