Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, and plenty more! Go check out the full list 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.
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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!
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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.
3!
Reflections in the tv from Rays post on the tour tell me it’s Norte dame… Plus if you’re going to live in Paris how could you turn down that view! Enjoy it!
Notre Dame – better location & connections, and a view. It’s probably a bit noisy during the day though…
3, of these choices. Views are only fluff and having lived on the 11th floor on a hill for 3 yrs, I wouldnt pay for it again, even with NDame there.
Think about how much time youre gonna be spending in that kitchen(as your work place) and the quality of that thats what really counts, right?..Not to mention the practicality for Ray to fit in all the testbeds and test gear, bikes, trainers etc.
Whats your budget?..These babies look like they cost 2-3k Euros a month in rent, pretty pricy, but maybe something slightly outside Paris instead?…Near a metro/train station or so to get in/out Paris fast?…Your might be able to rent a full house then and then its alot easier to find good routes for running/biking, not to mention much more space and room for a garden(homegrown spices fx).
No doubts.3rd option is (would be) the right choice.Spacious,smells good :-).Noisy and busy surroundings are good when you are single,couple without little “obligations”.You got to consider this factor as well.
Number 3.
It’s the only one with proper ground floor access (who would want to haul bikes up and down stairs each day?)
except for it’s proximity to Eiffel Tower, the first house is not as great as the other two. I think you guys chose 3rd, with it’s secure approach and plenty of trainer space it’s an ideal place to live.
Has to be option 3. Space and new = home
You can’t post the results until you’ve lived there 6 months. We need the “6 months later” shots to go along with the House Hunters International theme.
Can’t wait to visit you guys next year.
Having spent a lot of time in Paris, my response was, holy crap! You guys must be doing ok financially to pay that kind of rent! :)
Hopefully for whichever place you chose, the floors are sound proof enough so that the neighbours below don’t complain because of the bike trainers!
Eiffel tower home
Forget about the views. You can see them when you like and you’ll be paying a premium for them. They are initial wow and tomorrow’s yawn but you’ll always pay wow.
Paris is tiny – really. Get out of the very centre and you’ll get a lot more for your money.
There is no way you’re not going to choose 3.
When can I stay?
Holly cow! These flats must cost a fortune! They are all beautiful, but if the 3rd one has a metro station nearby, I’d go for it. Paris is small but having a metro station within a short distance is really important…
Pick #2, for sure. Can’t beat that view and it’s the best neighborhood in all of Paris. We rented an apt. next door to your building (I won’t give the address for privacy). Try Le Petit Pontoise for foie gras if you get a chance — it’s a deux pas from apt. #2.
Based on the old saw about real estate (location, location, location) I’d have to go with #2 even with the sketchy kitchen. To be right along the Seine and just across from Notre Dame – Swoon! Honestly all three looked amazing!
This is way better than House Hunters International!!! I think you guys pick 3 due to the storage for the bikes BUT I love all of them!! But I would live with a view over the bike storage! NOTRE DAME!!
Considering Ray’s pictures of his gear reviews, I say you went with option #1. It’s also ~30 minutes away from the Hippodrome.
Notre Dame does not have the running space, and its not very close to the Champ des Mars or the Hippodrome de Longchamp.
Option #3 I’m guessing is NOT in the 6th, 7th, 8th, 16th or lower 17th. I would guess 14th or 18th. Again these locations are not close to the Eiffel tower at all. Nor are they close to the Hippodrome de Longchamp.
#3 hands down…
Views are nice, but you get used to them very often…
If you are planning for guests, #1 is no option bathroom-wise.
#2 is for sure way to noisy and a blast… if you enjoy getting high on CO/CO2 (this is the boulevard to St Michel).
Go for the spanking new, period features in Paris are the surest path to getting to know plumbers and electricians very well…
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Wow,,, That is great that you two have a budget to even look at places like that in Paris is amazing. I would choose #3.. You might find that space is more important when you get your bikes/trainers/guests. Views are nice in the others but you will pay dearly for it. Noise, people, storage, space.
I’m thinking you selected the third option
Being born and raised in Paris, and currently living in the 5th arrondissement, I can tell you that the location of apt #2 is truly amazing, not only for the view, far from it. It feels like a village, and the proximity of the river and the fact that you’re within walking distance to major metro and RER stations is a big plus if you don’t plan on having a car.
The funny thing about this place is that the windows have a very unusual (i.e noticeable) arrangement compared to other Parisian buildings, and I’ve passed by this building many times on my way to Longchamp, thinking about the lucky people who enjoy a place like that :)
The first one (Avenue Charles Floquet) is in an area that is even more touristy than #2 and frankly, not so much fun. It’s quite boring, and the crowd living there can be uptight. Think about it when you start pedaling on your home-trainer with wood floors at 6am. Neighbors can be real dickheads in Paris. Trust me on this one. Another to consider is that the subway stations in the area are few and far between, unless you walk all the way to La Motte Picquet.
Now the nice part about this place, is the Champ de Mars right across the street, and you’re 10mns away from Longchamp.
Just my 2 cents ;)
If you didn’t pick that view of Notre Dame, you are insane! That’s one of my most favorite parts of Paris! FABULOUS neighborhood!
#3
3rd!
Ok. My take. I’ve moved to Paris a few month ago so… and yes, holy crap. I guess my budget was too tight for anything like this. I really like the location of your FB photo appartment, near Invalides.
nr. 3… it depends where in city paris centre. I would need to now approx. location. Cause location in Paris city centre can be good or bad. However, despite all the space, I don’t think you chose nr. 3.
Nr. 1 one looks nice, with all the storage, though unfurnished “kitchen” can cause some extra cost. However, if you plan to stay longer time it is certainly worthy to have everything to your own desire. This location is great for exercising (by the way, running around Champ de Mars at 7am is very quiet!), however, this is an upmarket district and expensive. I would actually prefer this location to Notre Dame (mainly due to my work in 16th). And i don’t think you chose this one.
Nr. 2 is different. Interesting. Great location (even if you want to have just a nice dinner picnic on the Seine banks near the Tournelle bridge). Great views. Furniture can be replaced. And i bet all the guests will like it!!! What i would dislike is the carpet and the fact you have a washing machine in the kitchen. Though, when we looking for the appartment, an owner offered to covered the carpet with wooden tiles. I guess you did the same. You are a decade younger than me, so… bars and cafes are even more important. Nearby are nice bars and even parks (for example Jardin de Plantes, near is also Luxembourg parc). And St. Germain district with excellent bars and nightlife. Running is possible one river banks (preferably in the morning with no crowds), though it can be a bit smelly.
Sooo… in total… i think your selection was nr. 2. Almost without the doubt.
previous pictures look like they were taken in the courtyard…..i think #3!
I would bet my life it’s the duplex. It’s got the best looking kitchen from the pics. You both like to cook and eat. Plus it looks like it has the most space for baking.
Door Number 3!
This is so fun Bobbie! I’m going to say #3…while it is missing the killer view, you guys are so active that you’ll always see wonderful things when you’re out and about.
I’m thinking #1 (my favorite) or
#3.
These are such exciting times for you both – thanks for taking us along on the ride! I lived in Nice my junior year in college, but I would have loved to have the experience of living abroad as a young, working person! Enjoy these days!! :)
I would have went for #3, but I think you guys went for #2… only bc as someone mentioned previously- a reflection on the TV from a previous post has those same uneven set windows!
Really nice and informative article. kitchen and kids room color combination are perfect.
Very Nice Blog.
I really appreciate you work dude.
I like the master bath picture but I think that it is less spacious. Look my Room
Hi, guys! my name is Jack. I came to DC last week and bought a house which need home imrovement. We painted the walls, now we need a new floor. We decided to make vinyl flooring. How much does this service cost in Washington and can I compare prices for contractors somewhere?