April 2, 2016
Click here for the full written transcript of this podcast episode.
Meet Ray Maker (pictured above).
Via his website “DC Rainmaker“, and his podcast by the same name, Ray single-handedly tests, reviews and reports on nearly every self-quantification device that hits the market, including the latest devices from established players like Garmin and Polar, along with new companies like Strava, Zwift, Stages Cycling, 4iiii, and other brands that attract the attention of both the tech world, the bike market, the triathlon industry and beyond – often testing prototypes months before a product is brought to market.
Ray often operates beneath the radar of the traditional, brick-and-mortar, ink-on-paper side of the bike world, but shockingly, his site, which he runs entirely by himself, is the sixth most popular bicycling website on the planet. He's even been listed in Runner's World as one of “The 50 Most Influential People In Running”.
Ray is an avid triathlete and runner, and despite operating DC Rainmaker still works full-time in the IT industry, in a position that requires him to travel the world constantly. He's an American, but now lives in Paris, France, with his wife. His far-flung trips are part of the appeal of his website, as he reports not just on technology, but also on his adventures running, biking and swimming around the globe.
A true fitness geek, Ray puts the gadgets he tests through rigorous evaluations, reporting on the nitty gritty details, flaws, benefits, pros, cons, and even delivers the first-hand reports on the latest firmware updates for various devices. He does things like mount multiple power meters on his bike, or wears several heart monitors at once, and often delivers intricate multi-thousand word reports and reviews on every device he tests.
During our discussion, you'll discover:
-Ray's crazy story of testing the waterproof potential of an Apple watch…
-How Ray makes money on his website by reviewing devices…
-The coolest piece of self-quantification technology Ray has ever used…
-Ray's most recommended piece of technology…
-How much of racing and training technology is just the ‘same ol', vs. truly groundbreaking technology…
-What a device must do to break the mold and fit into that ground-breaking category…
-How Ray keeps from being “biased” by products he receives and reviews…
-What Ray uses to track sleep…
-The effects of alcohol on training…
-Ray's thoughts on the potential “biological danger” of bluetooth, wireless and wifi devices?
-Whether Ray just “unplugs” and go by feel…
-Ray's #1 recommended vacation and must-see spot for active people or athletes…
-What Ray thinks is the next biggest trend in athlete quantification…
Resources from this episode:
–The Airdog drone that follows you as you train
–Mio Heart Rate Monitoring via Optical Sensor
–Withings Aura sleep monitoring
–EmFit for tracking sleep and HRV
–Stryd power meter for running
Do you have questions, comments or feedback for DC Rainmaker or I? Leave your thoughts below and one of us will reply!
Andrew Jeremy Wakefield(born c. 1957) is a British former gastroenterologist and medical researcher, known for his fraudulent 1998 research paper in support of the now-discredited claim that there was a link between the administration of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, and the appearance of autismand bowel disease.[1][2][3][4][5]
In 2016 Wakefield directed the documentary film Vaxxed. The film purports to show “an appalling cover-up committed by the government agency charged with protecting the health of American citizens [the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)] … an alarming deception that has contributed to the skyrocketing increase of autism and potentially the most catastrophic epidemic of our lifetime.”[142] The film was withdrawn from New York’s 2016 Tribeca Film Festival after the festival’s founder Robert de Niro (who has a child with autism) reversed his decision to include it.[143] Wakefield called this action censorship.[144]
Have you tried a prototype of WHOOP?
5 star show
I knew as I listen this is an idea whose time has come (Some reader, start up web site evaluating podcasts, we need you! Unfortunately, having a pod is the in-thing to now to add to ever more social media.)
I am fascinated with the Law of Diminishing Returns, e.g., can we over-measure simply because we can measure more and more? .And how easily we can get led that if we use more of something that is good then good moves to excellent
Unless I step back, I can fail to see I am swimming in the woo-woo part of the pool
In sum: excellent show, Ben. I like what could be expensive woo-woo tested
It seems like whenever I start getting really into something new or different, a week later you do a podcast on it. I literally just finished reading a review on DCs website to see you link this on FB. Still waiting for that sacred geometry podcast :P