The Overweight Bag

A couple months ago my friend Yann-yves O’Hayon-Crosby had shared a tale of French customer service on Facebook that made me chuckle. I said to myself, this needs to be... Read The Rest &rarr...

I have been in the market for a powerful flash for a while now. I’ve been doing a lot of apartment photography for a website, and I needed a good flash. I was eyeing the Canon 580 EX II and the newer 600 RT, but they are slightly above my budget (500 & 600 euros). So I looked for an alternative, and what I found came by surprise on a photography blog that I like to follow Eric Kim’s Blog.

I enjoy his interviews with different photographers and his own tips on street photography; if you’re interested in learning more about the subject, I highly suggest his site. One day, I was taking a look at the equipment section out of curiosity. I found that he was using this flash that looked like some cheap Chinese knock-off of the Canon 580 EX II. Turns out he was praising it. So after looking it up on Amazon.fr, and finding only good or positive reviews, I decided to make the jump. I could not be happier. The model is indeed all manual, which I find is a much better way to control your light anyways, but looks and feels pretty solid. I have been using it for a few months now professionally, and I am very satisfied with this flash. At only 80 euros, I really can’t complain. I’m even thinking about getting a second one eventually - and the wireless trigger to go with. 

http://yocrosby.tumblr.com/post/41557445951/apartment-in-the-9th-paris

To see this item on amazon check it out below:

Winter means rain and cold rain at that. I find that riding in the rain brings the stakes up a notch and I don’t mind getting wet as long as there’s a hot beverage and shower waiting for me on my way back. One thing that I can’t stand is a cold wet behind. Riding for 15 minutes in the rain without fenders will get you soaked fairly quickly, some might see it as a motivation to get home faster and it does but fenders have been the solution for me.

I went looking for some discreet, lightweight and good looking fenders, turned out to be not so hard, I found what I was looking for on amazon.fr.

After installing them I have to say that I was pretty happy and impressed at how easy it was. The only thing is that the screws have to be put on the right side or else they come undone. They also come with spare parts, which is also great.

  After I don’t mind keeping them on all year long to keep me dry from summer rain. To check out more about this product check it out below.

http://www.crudproducts.com/products/roadracer

Today I had the audacity to plan a 100km solo bike ride. I ended up completing it and the rapha festive 500 as well. I’ve never ridden that far out the city before and I have to say that if it wasn’t for the multiple cyclists I saw every once in a while I don’t think that it would have been as reassuring as it was. I started by going through the south of Paris up a category 4 climb and then off to Versailles where I found this interesting sign.

   I later made it up this hill if you remember from my first day of the challenge. I may have stopped half way and started again but the importance is that as I climbed the last few meters I raised my right arm up high in the sky to mark my accomplishment: I was happy.

100km is not an easy task after making it through I have to say that my body was tingling and in the last few kilometers as I would stop at a red light, I would easily lose balance. Although one thing that did keep me going was the thought of tonight’s fondue. It has been a while and I love to go to Montmartre to the small place and stuff my face with melted cheese and meat. This was the carrot on the stick to get me home, which nearly got me lost. Getting back to Paris always seems to be a problem for me. Getting lost in the middle of nowhere is always easy but getting back is more difficult, you would think that the signs all say Paris, and indeed they do, but I’m not fast enough to ride on the péripherique or the autoroute that leads into Paris. The GPS always leads you to these non-cyclable routes, I’m patiently waiting for Google to create a Google maps for bike riding in and around Paris, hopefully soon!

As I started heading back I had trouble getting home, I didn’t want to be late for fondue. So after worrying some and finally finding a way that wasn’t under construction (bike lanes usually are the first things that are blocked in that case) I finally found my way but the best moment of reassurance was when I spotted this view below:

I was reassured that I was on the right track and quite happy to find Paris again. As much as I like these long rides after these last crazy days of riding I think that I will take a break and enjoy the city’s traffic and tourists. 

Versailles.

My favorite traffic sign. 

For more information about the ride check it out below thanks to Strava:

Today I went out for yet another short ride. I decided to sleep in a bit and let my body recover fully. When I got up around noon I felt much more energetic and ready to tackle the day. Unfortunately I didn’t have that much time to ride so decided to do whatever I could in the amount of time that I had.

I did essentially a 90 minute ride from my place to the Bois de Vincennes and back, logging a bit over 22 kilometers, not much compared to some of my other rides, but definitely satisfying. This ride felt a bit more intense than others maybe because of the short time circumstances (I had other appointments in the day) or simply the extra scoop of coffee I put in my cup this morning (I think it was most likely the latter). What I did learn about this ride is that within hours I was able to maintain a decent workout in a short amount of time.

As I’ve started to dig a bit into cycling culture and I’ve discovered its intense relationship to caffeine. Yes, cyclists like stimulants legal or not, but coffee feels like a part of the cycling routine just like checking your tires before an outing. Not to mention an espresso machine is also a prize in this challenge. Recently in Paris I can’t really complain about the weather, it’s been a rather warm winter, which really plays in my favor for the Rapha Festive 500. If the weather wasn’t as pleasant I think the caffeine would help me out. I’ve discovered the virtues of riding with caffeine and I like! Tomorrow I’m going to try a 100km ride, I only have 119 kilometers to go, caffeine with definitely take part in it. 

Stapled flat.

To see more about the ride check it below thanks to Strava:

I visited a lovely apartment located just outside the city limits, but not for long. The town of Montrouge, bordering Paris just south of the city, will soon be connected by metro via line 4, bringing the people of Montrouge directly to the heart of Paris and by extension its sites. I met with Kathleen in her lovely apartment located off a small street in a new building. As I entered Kathleen excused herself for being in her pyjamas and offered me something to drink. As I waited for my glass of orange juice I noticed her lovely cat laying on the couch, he looked fairly lazy and cute; I guess what you would expect in a cat.

I peaked around the apartment and unlike a few apartments that I’ve visited in the past this one was one that the host actually lived in. The walls covered with pictures and other personal items and the kitchen well decorated with her personal taste in sweets. This definitely made it cozy and comfortable. She explained that there was also a parking spot in the building for anyone coming by car and that a German couple that had stayed there recently was quite delighted about it.

The little terrace was very nice as well and she told me how on sunny or warm days she likes to eat out on there. Although it had just rained when I visited, it was indeed quiet and I could picture a couple eating their morning breakfast on this nice terrace.

To see more about this apartment check it out on 9flats.com:

 http://www.9flats.com/places/92191-apartment-paris-jean_moulin_porte_dorleans

Today I was quite busy and I had to run some errands so another rather short day of riding. I nearly made my way down to Orly, but lacked time. 

I was still able to do the following ride:

After three days of intense cycling, covering over 200 km, my body started to ask for a pause. Other than myself, my bike also needed a bit of a tune up and some cleaning.

So I started the long process of cleaning my bike. What I thought would take only a half hour, took well over two hours. An old toothbrush I had and a bag of wipes did the trick. I realized that since buying my bike, back in 2009, from its former owner, I had never given it a good deep clean. The bike gathered dust in the garage for well over 15 years before I got a hold of it, and the only cleaning I gave it was the occasional ride in the rain.

  New derailleur and new tires for Peggy were also on the agenda. I’ve been having a lot of flats recently, and after examining my tires a bit closer I saw some micro cuts and realized how worn out they were. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s ride!

Today I spent the day at the Bois de Vincennes. Known to a lot of cyclists as a place to stretch your legs and get a few kilometers behind you. I normally would have gone out of my way but unfortunately I’ve been busy since Christmas is over, so I decided to make the most of it by sticking to the track, and I was right.

I’ve been to this segment many times but always came alone. Most of the people I know who take riding seriously have carbon fiber frames and would easily drop me at the first acceleration. My bike weighs over 13 kilos, is made out of steel, and was born in 1982. Anyone taking him or herself seriously in cycling would have something that would weigh at most 8 kilos, bikes have gotten so light that the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale, cycling’s governing body) has fixed the competitive limit of 6.8kg, no less! These may only be numbers but if you load up a bag with the weight difference and ride, then you’ll understand the difference.

I arrived on the track and started a few laps around the segment. I stopped a few times to fill my water bottle and went back to it. I rode solo and every once in a while I would get passed by a speeding peloton of ten cyclists. Always suddenly and quietly they creeped up and passed me only inches away from my handlebars. No matter how many times they’ve done it I still haven’t gotten used to it. Sometimes it motivates me to accelerate and keep the pace when I’m able to, but at other’s I can’t compete.

After refilling my water bottle for the second time I got back on and started to pass an older man in a Leopard Trek kit. As I got level with him and was going to pass he started to talk to me. I was surprised knowing that I’ve always been a bit of a tourist in the eyes of those who take things more seriously on the track. He asked me if I was training for L’Eroica (a vintage bike race in Italy every year) in a slightly mocking manner. I laughed and told him that I was a beginner and that upgrading was a matter of time, money and Santa not being as generous as I would have liked this year.  He leveled with me and said that cycling can get quite pricey; his new wheels alone cost him over 1000 euros. He slowed down a bit to take a better look at my bike and told me that I was brave and that he had one just like it back in the day.  We chatted a bit longer as it started to get dark, he then pulled off and said goodbye. It was a nice encounter and hopefully when I get up to the level I’ll be able to keep up with the peloton. 

To check out more on my ride on Strava check it out below:

I visited an interesting apartment last week, not knowing what to make of it exactly. I arrived at a place in the 18th arrondissement on assignment for 9flats.com and met with Donatien the host . The apartment is located in an old charming building along a side street. Situated in a small alleyway that helps keep the noise away from the nearby Gare du Nord train station. The apartment has a view on the building’s large courtyard decorated with plants lying on cobblestones.

  Donatien shares a one-bedroom apartment with his brother and nephew. I had seen the pictures and was left perplexed because there were two three-bed bunk beds next to each other in the bedroom. In theory the apartment has six beds but they managed to seal one bed off in order to use it as a hanger for their clothes. This type of sleeping situation was unusual, but when I got the chance to talk to Donatien for a few minutes over a glass of Orangina things became clearer. Donatien’s family used to come to visit fairly often, and in being a large family it was easier to have these bunk beds to save space. Smart move considering how expensive the square meter is in Paris.

As I took the pictures and spoke to Donatien, his brother and nephew sat quietly preoccupied with their own business. I felt like a guest who occupied one of the two beds they were renting out. I felt like this was a hostel only cleaner and the people nicer, belonging to the same family. When coming to this place I sensed that the beds were for fortunate travelers and not just a good deal.

To check this place out on 9flats.com click on the link below:

 http://www.9flats.com/places/92716-apartment-paris-goutte_dor_chateau_rouge

This morning I definitely felt the Turkey, Foie Gras and few bottles of wine I shared last night. I’m pretty sure that I wasn’t the only one due to my sudden jump in ranking at the end of the day (753rd instead of 1948th). Knowing that it was Christmas day and that most things in Paris are closed except, the Champs Elysées and parts of the Marais, I decided to take advantage of traffic less streets and bike around, this does only happen once a year after all. It turns out I was right, for the most part.

  The holiday spirit presented itself to me not once, but twice. I who had decided to spend these days riding my bike instead of sipping vin chaud or watching It’s a Wonderful Life. I raced up towards the 16th arrondissement, as I got to foot of the hill I prepped myself for the climb to beat a personal record on a segment I was used to, when suddenly I heard a loud screeching sound coming from my bike. I pulled over and started to check my rear wheel, as I did so a young man came over and asked if I needed help. I was surprised and started to chat. As we were chatting his mother and father came over and the mother handed me a tissue to avoid my hands from getting dirty with my chain. The whole family was genuinely interested, as we spoke a thought appeared in the back of my mind: they weren’t Parisians. It appeared I heard a glimpse of an accent, uncertain of its origin but French and definitely not Parisian. I told them that my rear derailleur was just as moody as Parisian weather, they laughed and wished me happy holidays. 

I continued onward and the city remained more or less empty except for cars with plates from Germany and the UK, like the one below:

The second incident of kindness that I encountered was when I made the mistake of listening to my own curiosity. I ventured onto the Champs Elysées to see how it would be, turns out it was packed. But as I arrived from a side street the traffic was hectic so I kept an eye out and suddenly I felt an issue with my pedaling. Something was wrong and as I looked down I saw someone’s scarf had gotten onto my toe clip and so I was forced to stop. I pulled aside with the crowds passing around behind me, as I was taking a picture to commemorate the event two older ladies, probably in their late sixties came over to help. I was surprised and I thought, great some more friendly tourists to help me out. They offered to hold my bike as I took the scarf off. They scolded me for going through such a hectic area on a day like today, they were right after all. One of them later unveiled that she was a cyclist herself. She usually goes to the Bois de Vincennes cycling track (one of the main Strava segments in Paris). I was delighted and surprised because I realized that my bike, just like my camera at times creates a contact. I’ve talked to many people in the past about cycling and the Tour de France and I’ve had mixed reactions. Admiration from some and cynicism from others certainly the Parisians or as one Parisian once said: “the Tour is for the peasants, it is frowned upon”.

The contact I had with the family and the two ladies really made my day. I was happy to see that there is something a little extra that comes with Christmas and it may just be in the company.

To see a more complete version of my Christmas ride check it out below:

Well the first day is over and I've logged a bit over 70km my ranking is 1848th out of 13484 not bad I guess considering that the guy in first place is already over 350 km.

I ventured out to la forêt de Meudon. It was very nice as I got to explore and see some of the western outskirts of Paris. I have to say that I was quite impressed with the ride, I had just cleaned my chain and pumped up my tires, I could definitely feel the difference. I really enjoyed the trip and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's Christmas Day ride. For more precision about the ride check it out below:

At one point I saw a climb in the distance that seemed steeper than usual, I got to the foot of it and started to climb thinking that it wasn´t possible to do it, way too steep! Indeed fate presented itself and a car driven by an old lady pulled up the narrow climb coming a bit too close for comfort so I stopped and walked up the rest unfortunately. I accepted the failure but as I reached the summit I turned around and saw that the climb was a 16% grade, in other words craziness! I´ll give it another try on a new day but I don´t think that Peggy will hold up to the challenge very well.

When you leave the confines of Paris, old america is well represented!

Interesting trompe l'oeil.

And so it begins, as I’ve been in the mood for a challenge recently something presented itself that I couldn’t refuse; the Rapha Festive 500. I have been a fan of Rapha Clothing ever since I met Simon Mottram at the 2011 Tour de France as he showed up a mountain pass with his Rapha labeled truck and warm manner. I was checking my progress on Strava’s website the other day, (determined to reach the 2000km line in 2012) and stumbled upon it. I didn’t hesitate and signed up. The prize is pride, mostly and a small commemorative Festive 500 woven roundel:

I don’t own anything by them but virtually half the site is on my holiday wish list. A few days later I checked my Strava account again and it stated that I had joined the challenge, and that’s when reality hit. 500km in 8 days?!!!!!! I’ve been logging about 130km a week, logging nearly four times that in 8 days is a bit of a stretch. I stared at the screen and into the two zeros until they stared back, sat up straight and thought to myself; challenge accepted.

I’ve currently been working as a ‘Scout’ for 9flats.com in addition to my video production and photography. The job includes visiting apartments, taking pictures, writing reviews and blogging. I pack my camera gear, jump on my bike and go. I usually visit apartments that are located within the Parisian walls but every once in while I get a chance to put a few extra kilometers on my bike. This was the case last week when I got to ride my bike to le Bourget Airport in Paris in the town of le Blanc Mesnil.

I started using Strava since May of this year when I started taking my riding more seriously. Since then I’ve logged over 1300 kilometers on my old bike Peggy (1982 Peugeot road bike). With this heightened interest I decided to continue this blog and log my different trips and visits around Paris, Europe hopefully and different parts of the world eventually.

The following two Strava entries are far from being my best, but to hear more about my visit to Le Blanc Mesnil check out the link below:

I stumbled out last Friday on a visit that was a bit farther than I expected, at least by bike that is. The rain didn’t help as I made my way past the Le Bourget airport and to Visha’s house. Visha is renting a room in her aunt’s house through 9flats.com. One of the children is off to South America to study for a year while the other is off to Sciences Po (one of France’s top schools), leaving the nest a bit empty.

  As I entered I met with Visha who welcomed me in a very hospitable manner offering me coffee and small talk to warm me up. We spoke a bit about the place, notably how her uncle had built the house himself. She showed me the room that was warm and comfortable including a terrace, Tv and enough room to fit suitcases and of course hang clothes.

I snapped away and then made it to the bathroom where a full size bath and shower were waiting for me. The whole room was just as big as the bedroom. But the most impressive element remained the amount of light that entered the room due to the glass ceiling. Flooding the room with light even on a dark cloudy day is quite enjoyable especially while taking a bath.

When I was done taking the pictures I stepped into the hallway I overheard Visha and her cousin debating about what to get rid of and what to keep in terms of her school items. I had just peered into the family life in this house. Visha ended up laughing it off and taking me downstairs showing me one of the perks of the place: the sauna. Visha told me how they planned to add a Turkish bath. I wouldn’t mind staying here if I was visiting le Bourget.

On my way out she realized that I was on my bike and offered to drive me back part of the way. I refused because of the trouble and the simple fact that I got there by back and I was determined to get back that way. But, she insisted and was even willing to switch cars in order to accommodate my bike. I politely declined and she wished me good luck and to be careful, as she drove off , I felt like I had been treated like a member of the family.  

To check out this place on 9flats.com:

http://www.9flats.com/places/92110-bed_and_breakfast

The 19th arrondissement is often forgotten when looking at the Parisian map, up in the northeastern part of the city. It does lack the traditional touristic sites that would make it an obvious arrondissement to venture to… Unlike its neighbor, the 18th, there is no famous white stoned Church (Sacré Coeur, in case you weren’t paying attention).

Last week I had the chance to check out a comfortable apartment in this arrondissement. The apartment was located off of Avenue Flandre, surrounded and located in a high-rise building, which makes it stand out from the common Haussmannian representation of Paris. The upside of these high rises is the incredible outlook on the city - nothing really compares in terms of view. This apartment faces south which floods the apartment with warm sunlight.

I walked into Antoine and Bruno’s apartment and was right away taken in by the artwork. Bruno is a painter and a sculptor and the apartment is full of his work. In my experience it is rare to find a person’s artwork on par with their personality. I found it to be quite good and like any artist the apartment is decorated in a very personal way including the room they rent out through 9flats.com. We tend to forget that when you rent a room or an apartment it usually belongs to someone not to a company, hence the personal aspect that should go without saying. Bruno and Antoine make their personalities bleed through the walls of the apartment, one place where this is very prominent is in the bathroom where their taste for art and boldness is displayed.

Personality is important in places you stay and in this particular one where the sun shines in all day, so does personality. 

To see about this place on 9flats.com check out: 

I went on an apartment visit this week that left me with a smile. I visited a delightful, luminous, and not to mention cozy apartment in Montmartre.

Stephane came down to the front door of the building to let me in - and was surprised that I was on time.

Instead of meeting with Claudine, the apartment’s owner, I met with her son Stephane, who manages the place. We walked in and he offered me coffee. We chatted a bit about the apartment and the wonderful views as he showed me around the place, which has just been completely renovated. Everything from the windows, to the espresso machine, to the dishwasher was brand new. Each room in the apartment has a view of either the Sacré Coeur, the Eiffel Tower or the whole city. Views like this in Paris are only really visible from the 18th arrondissement, and a 270˚ view makes this one stand out.

Stephane has lived in Montmartre for over 15 years and knows the right places to go. Across the street is a nice brunch place, and the bakery next door is one of Stephane’s favorites. Besides the food, there is also rue Lepic nearby, the Sacré Coeur and the Montmartre Cemetery (Truffaut, Stendhal, Offenbach and Degas are buried there).

As I started taking the pictures and made my way around the apartment, Stephane’s dog Zion (named after a song by Lauren Hill) followed me around and liked to stare up right at the lens. Some dogs like the spotlight, I guess.

The low sound of jazz seeped throughout the different rooms, amplifying the stillness and overall comfort of this place. I felt like I could easily make myself a cup of tea, grab a book and borough on the living-room sofa, pausing between chapters to take in the view.

In the bathroom there’s a steam shower, a form of modern Turkish bath, that may have helped push the apartment onto my favorites list.

Finally, comfort and lifestyle are two key elements of Stephane’s apartment.  

To reserve Stéphane's apartment check out the link below:

http://www.9flats.com/places/91808-apartment-paris-montmartre

Check out these other great hosts on 9flats.com:

http://www.9flats.com/users/samuel-c-0

http://www.9flats.com/users/sylvia-a-0

http://www.9flats.com/users/carmen-and-jos-l