Replacing the Desktop Compter

Thursday was an expensive day for me.  Was happy to beat the storm, home from coffee.  But, late in the morning, the problems started.  Power outage from ice/snow/wind.

Power was out for just over 2 hours.  When I had restored, I went to restart the main (desktop) computer.  It was dead.  Appeared the power supply was toast.

Took the computer off the desk and moved it to the bench.  Found my computer power supply tester.  It showed that the -5v supply was bad.  Alas, I had a spare power supply in the box.  Installed it one the computer.

Not so fast - the power supply did not have enough SATA drive connectors.  Time to drive into town to Best Buy to pick up adapters for the supply or a new supply with the right number of connectors.  Store does not have the adapters, so bough a new power supply.

Installed the new power supply but that did not correct the problem.  Looking like the Mobo was also toast.  When a new Mobo & processor are required, might as well buy a new computer.  Best Buy in Council Bluffs had a comp ter close to what I needed.  Picked up the new Lenovo IdeaCentre K450 Desktop with 8GB RAM and 1TB Hard Drive.

Thursday night was spent downloading and installing software (including lots of updates).  Thankfully, my satellite internet provider gives me free bandwidth between midnight and 5am local time. 

Friday, I ordered some more hardware for the new computer.  Adding a 3TB data drive and a Blue-Ray burner.  The rest of the weekend has been occupied by installing and configuring software, with a few breaks for sleep, breakfast, and coffee.

Still have some pieces of software to find and install.  Others are on hold as I get activation keys for updated, outdated software. 

Three Crashes - Ouch

Well, I started out the Festival of the Trails with a big bang. After getting registered and checking out where the punches will be located, I was ready to start riding.

Bill (whom rode with me first afternoon last year) arrived. Stopped to visit for a little. Then headed down the new trail which had the closest punch. A few yards dorn the trail I hit a large rock - ENDO! Took it easy and walked lost of that trail and eventually got my ticket punched.

Photo with this posting is a photo of the first trail I rode today. Pretty tame, eh. until the up/downs and rocks get thrown in.

After a walk back up the hill on the pavement, it was time to check up the trail being used for the night ride. Right away there was a good climb, more than I wanted ed to tackle in the dark.

Now, I wanted to accumulate some punches on my ticket. Checked out the gravel/dirt rode which comes close to some of the spots - Phipps Fire Lane. Found 3 punches without a lot of trouble. Only one light crash.

Things were going so well, I figured I would do one more ride to find a punch. Big error! I violated my own rule - never take that last run of the day. That's when you get hurt, when tired.

Could not find the punch I was looking for. Decided to turn back to the car. That's when I had my SECOND endo of the day. At it was a doozy - a full face plant into the sand.

A little sore when I got back to the room. Figured that was enough riding for the day. Cleaned up and had dinner (at the Angry Minnow). Now time to drive up to the Meet and Greet. Leaving my bike in the room!

In the Dirt Again

Well, was feeling good after my ride yesterday. With rain forecast for this evening and tomorrow, it was time to ride some singletrack.

This was my first full (my laps) 2 lap + warm/cool ride - 12.6 miles. Still getting used to the new trail bike. Some sections on the sidewinders I was riding at up to 12 mph! Then slower pace in the tight turns.

Minor crash on woodchopper. Never use the front disc brakes for panic stops! Just some dirt in my arm - that's all. Got back up and rode more. Thought of hopping a log on Fast Track - then dropped that idea, since I had crashed once already today!

Completed my goal - over 12 miles.

We are still getting some mushroom hunters (a guess) moving logs. I talked with one hunter during my ride. When I mentioned that the News was saying you can find mushrooms under rotting wood - he said that would be something novice hunters might think. Not true.

Only 2 weeks to my trip to Rapid City. Hope the snow is melting .