Heads up! There’s some pretty substantial sales that just started. For watches, the Garmin Epix is down to $499, and the Fenix 7 to $449, with the Pro editions also $200 off! Meanwhile the top-end Edge 1040 cycling GPS is down to $499, and both the Edge 540 & Edge 840 are also on sale. As is Varia radar for $149. Some incredible deals, and ll the deals are 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:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
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.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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 and Equipment 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! 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 2023 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.
Hey Ray, do something extra nice for The Girl this year!! Thanks for being the best at what you guys do!
Every woman loves a new kitten!
Ray could treat you to a romantic picnic!! He brings the wine, you bring the desert :) (Just maybe not on table mountain after seeing the ‘bring a buddy’ signs…..).
I just read that Whole Foods as the cheapest price on online roses. Wink wink
I think Ray should give The Girl whatever she wants.
Hey!
Suggestion for Ray: offer the Girl two tickets for the next ‘Marathon du Médoc’, a marathon in the Bordeaux area where the basic idea is to stop at each Chateau to taste their wines. I did it in 2012 and it is definitely worth the come-back to France!
Love reading the newsletters from “The Girl”. I’m so impressed how you keep the wheels on the bus as you travel to so many amazing places with the Peanuts and Ray. Tell Ray he will have some very unhappy followers if he doesn’t do something special for you on the 14th! :)
Hello (:
A tandem for Valentine’s Day present meaning you can spend more time together :-)
Always a great newsletter and love the in depth reviews.
Oh yeah. St Valentines. Forgot about that. Good thing my wife and I have a pact to ignore it.
Pretty sure the girl just wants pizza…. cause who doesn’t want pizza.
Hey Ray Cape Town is the best right ?. Go to signal hill on valentine’s day with a bottle of champagne and a blanket, and watch the sun set into the ocean. Enjoy ❤️
Hello Ray
Hello!
Oh gosh, that could be a powermeter for my valentine =)
Hi Ray,
thx for all the great work you put into this and as a thx to the girl and reminder of good old paris times, why not make here some nice cupcakes ? for valentine? ?
Let’s see what Ray does for Valentines in the next newsletter. NO PRESSURE :)
All about some Valentines Day Giveaways :)
Is a pink can opener a good gift for the wifey?
Valentine’s Day snowshoeing trip and then the spa for “recovery”!
I could get a lot of nice things for my wife with $500 at Clever Training…maybe you should get something nice for your wife there too…or somewhere more romantic.
Ray, you have a wonderful family, but I’m sure The Girl would love some alone time. Perhaps find a sitter for the evening and take her out to one of the many wonderful restaurants around you. If you’re still in South Africa, take her some place she’s always wanted to go. If you’re back home, then do something purely Dutch for Valentine’s.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Nothing beats the classic flowers and chocolates! ?
Sorry I’m no good at coming up with ideas. I’d love to win, of course, any way ?
Hike up platteklip and cable car at sunset down. Can’t beat that!!
Happy Valentine’s Day! I recommend a heart-shaped pizza…
Take her out to a nice dinner and buy her some flowers!
Thank you for the Valentine love!
You should go on a bike ride to the beach and enjoy a sunrise or sunset.
My wife teached me 2 things: the best present is a present you would like to get yourself as well. If the person you give it to, doesn’t like it, you can still keep it for yourself. And secondly: happy lovers are the best. So, it’s easy, Ray, but her the pizza oven :-). And you can blame my wife if it was the wrong choice :-).
Thanks for all you do for the weekend warriors and parents trying to stay in shape enough to chase after our kids!
I’ve never been good with peer pressure. Just tell Ray to google it… ;-)
Hey Ray,
Love all that you do. Thank you.
Have you ever considered doing a review of the Whoop heart rate strap? I’m super curious but can’t find any decent info about it.
Hi ex-neighbours !
I trust all is well up north
The Girl needs a fancy date night dinner for Valentine’s Day! I’m sure there is new restaurant to try in Cape Town?
I will boycott Rays newsletter if he dose not go over the top for you on Valentines Day
I can’t give any tips for romantic gifts, mainly because I can’t figure out what to get my own wife, But I would suggest to Ray that he may want to finish all of the tasks you assigned to him in order to get that pizza oven (when you get back from the southern hemisphere, of course.)
Hey, another reason to subscribe to the newsletter ?
Romantic you say huh? How about a trip to see some northern lights in Finland? Just keep him far away from HQ’s of Suunto & Polar ;)
Take her out on an evening ride, under the stars!
Sweet! Ray should give bbmaker a home cooked meal :)
Ray, get your wife a spa day while you look after the kids! Happy Valentine’s day ;-)
Who doesn’t love a freebie ?
Hello!
“Flowers, chocolates, promises you don’t intend to keep” ?
I think it would be incredibly romantic if Ray finished the Pizza Oven Chores… ;)
Just kidding, how about you go on a romantic family trip to South Africa?
Oh wait.
So, I hope I’ve written enough to not be classified as spam by the filter, so thanks for the giveaway you guys rock.
I totally live the newsletter!
Fish and chips in the paper walking along the beach
I hope you and Ray have a marvelous valentines day. Time together is more precious than any gift.
Take a nice ride along the beach!!
I’m in for the giveaway, as for the Valentine’s idea I recommend going out to nice restaurant :) Cheers
As a cyclist I would say “New Bike”! But perhaps a nice bottle of red wine would work too….. and his company???? ?
Go on a romantic bike ride by riding a predesigned route in the shape of a hart togehter with The Girl and finish of with a diner in a good restaurant.
Let me be your Valentine.
An Atlantic Canada Hello :-)
Soo, the first comment!
Must find something intelligent to say and quick!
As valentine gift I wish a book (A. Munro?)
Cheers
I’m not much help on the valentines day front, my wife hates the holiday, so I get of easy.
Always waiting for the newsletter and the latest stories of the rainmakers life – love reading it. Keep up what you’re doing and continue your interesting style of living!
Happy Valentines, guys.
So many choices on clever training. Decisions, decisions…….
Hi! Thanks for all the giveaways!
Happy Valentine’s everyone!
Woho, let love rule!
First comment…YAY!!!
Valentines Day Ray should get you something from the heart, cook a nice meal and organise for the kids to be away for at least a few hours. That’s all, nice and simple :-)
Buy yourself a Pizza Oven instead of a Valentine’s gift for the girl.
I think lots of dudes underestimate the appeal (and relative bargain!) of flowers. Holidays and anniversaries are a given, but I still hope for the day I get a bouquet of just-because flowers!
Get the girl a Kirstenbosch Gardens visit. And a dinner, of course!
Ray! Keep taking BBMaker to Cape Town! For all the Valentines Days in the future! Best city in the world. Love what you guys are always doing back there.
Make-r-ray-a-sunshine on valentine’s Day and spread the love…by giving me the credit!
Ray should decorate the bedroom in roses ? and rose petals….
Then he should………..( use imagination here…)
Ray – if your wife is anything like mine with multiple small children, she always wants a some alone time.
Hope you are still enjoying S Africa. There has to be some place with nice wine & food for Valentine’s
Thank you for the jokes. And let’s enjoy sports!
Happy Valentine’s day. Amsterdam restaurant advice : la Perla for the best pizza in town !
Keep the Newsletters coming, they are great.
Maybe use the prize for anything my wife would like
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Please pick me! It’s my birthday (yes, Valentine’s baby) and my GPS watch died. Along with my furnace, and my dishwasher, so I’d love to be lucky in something! Thanks and have a very happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks for all the great reviews over the years!
Happy Valentines Day- send roses ?
Hi there,
I like to go for an early bird dinner special and a walk along the esplanade for valentine’s day.
give her an oura ring
How about Mom time coupons so she can get well deserved she time?
As always flowers are always good. That was my choice for my girl this year as she is still in the states while I am in Australia this year. Best
Since you guys are running around all the time, a relaxed and romantic evening with a nice dinner would be the ideal Valentine’s Day for you guys. Big fan of the page/blog/YouTube channel/content. Keep up the great job-both of you. :D
Since you are in Cape Town, do a wild and wonderful Cape Winelands wine farm hopping. Start on a road and start wine tasting from farm to farm. As soon as you are feeling the extraordinary love the wine will bring, find a good place to sleep it off. No planning, just plain fun.
Pick me please
Yes please
I feel like maybe we should be thanking you for the effort you put into the newsletter, not the other way around!
All loved up! ;)
Hello!
Love your work, DCRainmaker & The Girl!
Always enjoy reading the newsletter. Is a pizza oven in the list of Valentines Day gifts? :P
Two thumbs up for the newsletter! The girl deserves some R&R this valentine’s!
I think for Valentine’s day Ray should just refer to the list of things you want done for him to get a pizza oven!
Happy Valentine’s Day from my family to yours!
Wahoo. always love a give away.
A tip for someone who has small kids, I’d recommend organizing a babysitter and head out and do something together.
Good luck!
Hoping to be luckier than the annual giveaway marathon
I would say he should keep things simple with a nice decent candlelight dinner
Blogging devotion, ‘cross country, ‘cross ocean.
The Girl is our link to Ray’s latest notion.
He sure has the best for his Rainmaker team
A wife and two kids to share-in the dream.
She’s a Mum-on-the-Run and a keyboard queen
The Girl let’s us feel we’re there on the scene.
So maybe from Ray for his sweet Valentine
Some neat words of Love as their minds they entwine.
P.S. to Ray:
Not just an offer to test another Loaner Gadget – HaHa !
Hi, this is my best chance for a valentines gift :)
His and Hers matching racing suits including ones for the little ones.
Foot Rub…just sayin’! :)
Ray, get her some dark chocolate and ice cream! How can you go wrong with that!??!
I could use some valentine help too…
For Valentine’s Day, Ray should take The Girl skydiving.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Listen to The Girl, Ray.
;)
Hey Ray,
It’s got to be roses mate, no arguing! Just do it! The girl deserves.
How about Ray cooking a nice meal? ♥️
$500 would go a long way to a new power meter for a gravel bike
For this Valentine’s Day, Ray should definitely finish off the “Pizza Oven to do list” and NOT bring up the pizza oven within the next week… ;-)
Thanks for putting on the give away and happy Valentine’s Day!
Give her a year of valentines. Fill a jar with 12 slips of paper each with a note of what you love about her and preferably attached to a nice wrapped chocolate. On the 14th of every month, she gets to draw one of the slips out…
Even better, the slips of paper she draws can give instructions to different caches where you have hidden the note. That way, you can babysit while she gets a little adventure on her bike or hiking or whatever…
This is very generous of you! Happy Valentines to you both..
Happy Valentines!
I’m in, thanks!
Is there something more romantic than having a 13h Rest without kiddos? Having 3 of those, i know those is probably as romantic as it gets.
Hello
You guys are the best!
Go to Oslo in the summer, enjoy a great restaurant, visit one of the bike inspired bars, and enjoy a bike ride in beautiful scenery
Spend a day in another country together with no gadgets.
Nothing says love more than Running a nature trail together, followed by a hot shower and romantic diner!
Really enjoy reading the newsletter! Thanks for all the advice, input, etc.!
Hello! I hope Ray does a great job on Valentine’s Day.
Wahoo! Bring on the goodies!
Happy V-day!
Hello
would it be possible to rent a pizza oven? :-) – it’s been a while, and the last Q&A you kind of hinted that Ray, might have “thrown out the list” – since nothing had really happened.
a great homemade pizza, some great South African wine, and a sunset. – what more could you possibly want? :-) (and might even inspire him to finish some of the “remaining” tasks when you get back.)
Well you should do something you both enjoy. Even if it’s everyday stuff. I’ve found that stressing over trying to force something to amazing happen can end up blowing up. Go for couples body scrubs or hot springs soak or something !
The perfect valentines date for my wife is a day where she doesn’t have to think or make decisions. Just make a plan and do it Ray!
How about a spa day for V-day?!
Hi,
Nice trip and coverage.
Love to read about all the fun and sport.
Wish I could be of any help with Ray but, I’m out of ideas myself… SORRY!.
I think (hope) he will handle it by himself.
Thanks for the fun!!!…
I’m thinking a few gift certificates to watch the munchkins while you get outside to ride! :)
Spa treatments are always a winner
14 reasons you love your girl Ray. Come on it’s the the 14th of February!
Get Ray some non-high tech gear! Maybe an old school Nikon F4 camera!
I could away give my SO the credit. Or maybe half the credit.
Ray should look after the peanuts for Valentines day. You can go and get some well earned R&R or retail therapy :-)
A bottle of her favorite bubbly if applicable and a nice quiet corner of the bed….to enioy a good night of sleep.
PF Valentines… I prefer treating my wifes to niceties when it’s not hugely overpriced and almost considered socialy required. Way more valuable to just be real! ;-)
Ray, give up the Pizza Oven and take the girl on an nice, adults only getaway. It’s just the right thing to do on Valentine’s Day!!
Ray should take you to a show in royal Carré in Amsterdam, including a dinner up front
Happy early Valentine’s day everyone! I would probably get a new Garmin watch with the credit. Thanks!
come on Ray make her feel as good as she is to all your fans.
I thought Thursday was run night?!?
Thanks for the newsletter!
Ohh. Would make getting a gift for the lady much easier. Happy Valentine’s day.
Chocolate and flowers, can’t go wrong
My wife says this giveaway is my prize. Hope I win
Do something romantic Ray.
Ray could make you vouchers that are redeemable for his time. So you cash in a voucher for an hour of chores, such as ironing, or a voucher where he has to draw you a bath with bubbles etc.
Give the Girl a day for herself and make her a fabulous dinner.
Happy Valentines Day! Maybe Ray could finally knock out his pizza oven chore honey-do list for your present?
I just love that you got your own special give away!
Ray, The Girl is at it again. Do something nice for her or watch your six.
Happy Valentine! Clean the chain of your wife‘s bike for Valentine ?
Happy Valentine’s Day Ray and the Girl
Hello!
Hello from a Hawaiian! SPAM is great!!
Hoping my Valentine’s Day is as exciting as Christmas (partner got me di2 upgrade, bless him) ❤️
Dear Ray & The Girl,
Here’s hoping I win, Ray gets his pizza oven & the Girl get’s whatever the hell she wants!
Thanks and ta-ra now.
I’d definately go for the Pizza oven ??
Valentine’s Day Team Duathlon?
Maybe Ray could make you a Valentine heart via the trace in Strava? :-)
Thanks for setting this up!
No romantic idea, sorry. Is not that you have one for me? :)
Just be kind and love the Girl ;)
Hey Ray, According to Readers Digest you should both put the phones away for an evening and just enjoy each other. Not sure I believe in that tom foolery but its an idea.
Hi Ray, my wife and I still joke about the time I made heart shaped pizzas for Valentine’s Day. They were a last minute gift idea but they turned out very well!!
All the best to you all,
Sean Fisher
Maybe Ray should do something or he’ll never get the pizza oven!
Woohoo First comment
Hello
TSA-precheck and global entry for the whole fam for valentines day? That’s what I’m doing.
Thanks for the chance! Hope you have a great Valentines!
Hey great newsletters, not romantic so good luck to Ray or probably more correctly, good luck to The Girl…
Hey Makers! Having done the whole S Africa thing I know you’re gonna have a great couple of months. Try a bottle of Kline Constantia on the 14th…
Seems like the both of you have that working couple, common interests thing dialed in! What’s the one thing the girl wants from Ray, that rarely happens? Maybe Ray can give her a “voucher” that she can pull anytime throughout the year that compels him! Or, an annual subscription to a physical therapist for her aches and pains! :-)
As a fellow newsletter writer, thank you for what you do. It often seems like I’m just pressing send and the internet is shooting my lunch hour straight into a black hole.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I’m sure Ray will surprise you with something romantic! X
Hi Ray, take Bobby to Sofia restaurant at the morgenster winery.
Enjoy!
Thank you!
Let’s see – still single in my 40s, so probably not the best person to be giving advice on how to make Valentine’s Day a memorable romantic experience…
Hey Ray, maybe for V-day you should surprise The Girl with a trip back to the rock (and I’m not talking about Alcatraz)! I hear the North Atlantic is lovely this time of year :)
Hi Ray could cook you a fantastic pizza ? in that pizza oven he has been hankering after ?
Hope you both have a lovely day.
I would love to buy matching Forerunners for my valentine!
Love the newsletter! Love the site! PS Ray, for Valentine’s Day, think candlelight!
Don’t know how romantic it is but we will being going to a hockey game in Las Vegas.
Cheers
Since you loves races, Ray should setup a race to your heart! :-)
I could use that voucher on a new trainer. Happy Valentines
Ray, for Valentine’s day you should give the Girl a week off from the newsletter!
But really, it’s been great seeing the newsletter so consistently, I think you’ve earned a week off!
–C
Hello!
If your “one and only” says not to do anything special for Valentines Day, don’t believe her. It’s a test!
How about a massage for your valentine?
Cooking up a gourmet dinner and then taking over childcare duties sounds like a fab V-Day gift for The Girl!
Something that can be measured and compared to next year
Goodonya Ray – at least some long stem rises this year!
Thanks Ray! Glad you guys are enjoying Cape Town.
For Valentine’s Day, Ray ought to completely unplug all electronics and give you his undivided attention for at least one day. Also, I can’t recall if you guys have kids but if you do, then definitely needs to arrange for a sitter too. Happy Valentine’s Day whatever you guys end up doing.
Hey, love the website and all the info provided thereby!
Happy Valentine to all from a happy subscriber!