I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
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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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Tag Archives: EXTRAVAGANZA2018
Giveaway Extravaganza 2018 Winners!
Another year goes past – and another huge Giveaway Extravaganza is now complete! This year was pretty crazy once again, with boatloads upon boatloads of people stopping by the site to enter the dozen giveaways. As with every year – … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Garmin Forerunner 935 Multisport GPS Watch
All good things must come to an end, and this folks, it’s the end of the road. At least assuming you’re still on the road and haven’t fallen asleep and found you and your bike crashed into the side of … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: GoPro Hero 6 Black
There’s one product you’ll find with me on every single ride, run, or swim: my GoPro. Specifically, the GoPro Hero 6. Sometimes even two of them, if I’m gettin’ really wild! Now, unlike the GoPro Fusion 360° camera I gave … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Quarq DZero Power Meter
It’s time for another meter. With only a handful of giveaways left in this seemingly never-ending parade of free stuff, we need more power. I suppose I’m probably mostly talking about caffeine and not cycling power…but what’s the difference anyway? … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Fitbit Ionic GPS + Fitbit WiFI Scale
Given the way the day is going and how many of you are tied to your chairs, it’s probably not exactly a good idea to talk about weight scales. But in this second twofer of the day you’ll get exactly … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: DJI Spark Drone
While I have a somewhat absurd collection of drones (and growing), it’s actually one of the least expensive and smallest ones that I prefer the most – the tiny spark. It weighs less than a water bottle and I’ve taken … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: The Anything Unannounced Soon Giveaway!
Back by popular demand this year: What if I could give you the future? Or more specifically, the unannounced future? Yup, I’m going to do just that. Over the next 3 weeks there’s going to be a crapton of new … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Wahoo KICKR CORE + KICKR CLIMB
Boom, mic drop. Or, perhaps more accurately…fork drop. Which, will happen once you connect these two up. You’ll be going up and down like a merry-go-round horse as the KICKR CLIMB replicates the mountains and hills around your virtual world. … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Garmin Fenix 5 Plus
When it comes to features, no watch has as many features as the Fenix 5 Plus. From the watch you can listen to Britney Spears via headphones while concurrently paying for a Starbucks Unicorn Frappuccino using contactless payments, all while … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Favero Assioma Duo Power Meter Pedals
Bring on the power! And in this case, power to the people! There’s no doubt Favero has certainly done that in the power meter pedal world with the solid Assioma pedals, even if their product name can be a bit … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: GoPro Fusion 360° Action Cam
Let’s say that you were the dude (or dudette) who always managed to miss the shot. Always had the camera pointed in the wrong direction, or perhaps always had it out of focus. Well, I’ve got a solution for you: … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Wahoo BOLT Cycling GPS
There’s only one bike computer that includes an aerodynamic mount that will, if nothing else, make you feel faster. And thus, I’ve introduced the next product on today’s lineup – the Wahoo BOLT GPS. It’s arguably the unit that kicked … Read More Here
Giveaway Extravaganza: Suunto 9 Multisport GPS
And so it begins – the annual mother of all giveaways is now underway once again! And while it might be ‘only’ 24 hours of giveaways, it’s gonna feel a heck of a lot longer. Like, 120 hours. Which also … Read More Here
It Begins Monday: Giveaway Extravaganza Time!
Yes, the time is once again almost upon us: The Annual DC Rainmaker Giveaway Extravaganza! While typically mid-summer, we’re going with late-summer for this edition (yes, it’s still summer for another couple of weeks…just barely). Next Monday (September 10th) starting … Read More Here