Justin Hughes
@justinhughes54.com
A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a nerdy writer, editor, van lifer, motorcycle rider, ham radio geek, and all-around weirdo. Writer at Jalopnik, ADVRider, and elsewhere. a.k.a. Smokey Da Van, Knerd Rider.
Pinned
Justin Hughes
@justinhughes54.com
· Apr 24
Justin Hughes
I drive stuff, ride stuff, and write stuff.
justinhughes54.com
I need to do more to promote myself as a writer. So I’m turning the dormant blog on my professional website into an email newsletter as well as a blog. #writersky #authors #writers #writercommunity
Reposted by Justin Hughes
I get paid enough to survive but not enough to live. I want to live.
November 10, 2025 at 6:35 PM
I get paid enough to survive but not enough to live. I want to live.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
When did standards change that this got replaced by this
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
When did standards change that this got replaced by this
Here's another one about the Trans America Trail on Google Street View. This time it's from the motorcyclist's point of view for ADVRider. #motosky
You Can Now Visit The Trans America Trail On Google Street View - Adventure Rider
Ford put a Google Street View camera on top of a Bronco and mapped the Trans America Trail, enabling anyone to view its wonders.
www.advrider.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Here's another one about the Trans America Trail on Google Street View. This time it's from the motorcyclist's point of view for ADVRider. #motosky
All parts falling off this car are of the finest Italian manufacture.
Honda Recalls Certain Civic Wheels On The Off Chance They Might Fall Off - Jalopnik
The factory that made these wheels closed in 2023, so there is absolutely no way it can make this mistake again. Unfortunately, that leaves Honda on the hook.
www.jalopnik.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
All parts falling off this car are of the finest Italian manufacture.
It’s ok to live in your car, but make sure it’s YOUR car, not someone else’s.
New Jersey Woman Trades In Her Jeep, Then Realizes The Salesman Was Living In It - Jalopnik
New Jersey woman Laura Halen trusted Fette Kia to return her Jeep Wrangler, but Argenis Checo kept it, drove it, and slept in it.
www.jalopnik.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:57 PM
It’s ok to live in your car, but make sure it’s YOUR car, not someone else’s.
I really enjoyed this video. Not just because of its style that captures the best of classic Top Gear, but also because, like Jason Cammisa, I was around when these “old” cars were new and remember them well.
How Does The Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Compare To The Best Sport Sedans Of 2008? Jason Cammisa Finds Out - Jalopnik
It's a common refrain among enthusiasts that modern cars are numb and soulless compared to those of even 15 to 20 years ago.
www.jalopnik.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:56 PM
I really enjoyed this video. Not just because of its style that captures the best of classic Top Gear, but also because, like Jason Cammisa, I was around when these “old” cars were new and remember them well.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
“VANISHING POINT” (1971) dir. Richard C. Sarafian
Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger, Victoria Medlin
🎬 20th Century-Fox
Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger, Victoria Medlin
🎬 20th Century-Fox
November 7, 2025 at 10:10 AM
“VANISHING POINT” (1971) dir. Richard C. Sarafian
Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger, Victoria Medlin
🎬 20th Century-Fox
Barry Newman, Cleavon Little, Dean Jagger, Victoria Medlin
🎬 20th Century-Fox
It's like a cross between an SV650 and a V-Strom 650 with an updated engine. Makes me hopeful the SV650 will return, but I also question the V-Strom 650's continuing existence, between this and the V-Strom 800. #motosky
The Suzuki SV-7GX Is Basically An SV650 Sport Tourer With An Updated Engine - Jalopnik
While the new model name implies a 700 cc engine, Suzuki flat-out states that this is an updated version of the SV650 V-twin.
www.jalopnik.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
It's like a cross between an SV650 and a V-Strom 650 with an updated engine. Makes me hopeful the SV650 will return, but I also question the V-Strom 650's continuing existence, between this and the V-Strom 800. #motosky
How did this happen? This should never have happened. They were lucky there was enough separation to give the corner workers time to get it under control before a crash.
Tesla Driver Gets Lost, Drives Onto Track During Motorcycle Race - Jalopnik
The errant Tesla entered the track during Race 7 of the final round of the season.
www.jalopnik.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
How did this happen? This should never have happened. They were lucky there was enough separation to give the corner workers time to get it under control before a crash.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
November 3, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Having spent three years living in a van, I’m particularly sympathetic to their plight. I chose that life, and have met many who didn’t, who were forced into it because they can’t afford anything else. I like using my position to tell these people’s stories to a larger audience when I can.
San Francisco's RV Residents Are Running Out Of Time To Find A New Place To Live - Jalopnik
New street parking restrictions in San Francisco have vehicle dwellers scrambling to find safe, legal places to park.
www.jalopnik.com
November 2, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Having spent three years living in a van, I’m particularly sympathetic to their plight. I chose that life, and have met many who didn’t, who were forced into it because they can’t afford anything else. I like using my position to tell these people’s stories to a larger audience when I can.
You know what really grinds my gears? Newfangled traffic signals that work differently than every other existing traffic signal for no good reason.
These Pedestrian Traffic Signals Are Confusing Drivers - Jalopnik
The Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (or HAWK Beacon) uses yellow and red lights to bring traffic to a stop before signaling pedestrians to cross the road.
www.jalopnik.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:40 PM
You know what really grinds my gears? Newfangled traffic signals that work differently than every other existing traffic signal for no good reason.
“Great low price.”
November 1, 2025 at 4:25 PM
“Great low price.”
“Let them eat cake.”
I am certainly no seasoned strategist but I am a little skeptical of the political wisdom behind building a giant golden ballroom and sharing a dozen photos of a renovated marble bathroom at the very moment that millions of people are losing access to healthcare and food.
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
“Let them eat cake.”
Whether following notes on a rally stage or driving as economically as possible using intel from a support vehicle ahead, European Rally Champion Miko Marczyk has mastered both types of precision driving.
Rally Champion Sets Distance Record For 1,759 Miles On A Single Fill-Up In A Diesel Skoda - Jalopnik
The current European Rally Champion, Miko Marczyk, has set a new world record for driving 1,759 miles on a single tank of fuel.
www.jalopnik.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Whether following notes on a rally stage or driving as economically as possible using intel from a support vehicle ahead, European Rally Champion Miko Marczyk has mastered both types of precision driving.
In other late breaking news, water is wet and the sky is blue.
Recent surveys suggest Americans have grown increasingly concerned about inflation, rising prices and a cooled labor market.
Consumer Confidence Hits Seven-Month Low—Government Shutdown A ‘Key Concern,’ Survey Says
Recent surveys suggest Americans have grown increasingly concerned about inflation, rising prices and a cooled labor market.
www.forbes.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:47 PM
In other late breaking news, water is wet and the sky is blue.
Calling it "Masshole Mode" would've been more appropriate and accurate, considering how it drives.
Tesla Deploys 'Mad Max' Mode, Immediately Triggers NHTSA Investigation - Jalopnik
Mad Max mode first appeared in beta testing in 2018 before being removed due to public outcry against it.
www.jalopnik.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Calling it "Masshole Mode" would've been more appropriate and accurate, considering how it drives.
Now I want to print this out and put it on my wall.
![Comic. [diploma from East State University for Doctor of Philosophy in Document Forgery] [caption] If you put one of these up in your office, and no one notices, you’ve earned it.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreif2hl6u2eqv7rmq27tenpy5s5d7egkhwzvfw4ohpskh67ibuw52ym@jpeg)
October 28, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Now I want to print this out and put it on my wall.
I forgot I took this picture on a ride two weeks ago. I’ve been sick most of the time since and haven’t been thinking about motorcycles, which is itself a sign that I’m sick. So here it is. #motosky
October 28, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I forgot I took this picture on a ride two weeks ago. I’ve been sick most of the time since and haven’t been thinking about motorcycles, which is itself a sign that I’m sick. So here it is. #motosky
Thanks to Ford, now anyone can virtually sightsee the TransAmerica Trail.
Ford Brings The TransAmerica Trail To Google Street View - Jalopnik
The TransAmerica Trail stretches more than 5,900 miles long from Port Orford, Oregon, to Nags Head, North Carolina, avoiding pavement wherever possible.
www.jalopnik.com
October 28, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Thanks to Ford, now anyone can virtually sightsee the TransAmerica Trail.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
I need people to understand that you are not going to Jamaica for spring break.
You are not going to the Bahamas/Turks and Caicos on your cruise.
You are not going to scream about this on social media.
You are going to donate to relief efforts if you ever want to go these countries again.
You are not going to the Bahamas/Turks and Caicos on your cruise.
You are not going to scream about this on social media.
You are going to donate to relief efforts if you ever want to go these countries again.
October 27, 2025 at 10:09 PM
I need people to understand that you are not going to Jamaica for spring break.
You are not going to the Bahamas/Turks and Caicos on your cruise.
You are not going to scream about this on social media.
You are going to donate to relief efforts if you ever want to go these countries again.
You are not going to the Bahamas/Turks and Caicos on your cruise.
You are not going to scream about this on social media.
You are going to donate to relief efforts if you ever want to go these countries again.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
It's not about what this country can or can’t afford. It’s about priorities. [Cartoon by Jesse Duquette]
October 27, 2025 at 5:01 PM
It's not about what this country can or can’t afford. It’s about priorities. [Cartoon by Jesse Duquette]
This is the definition of a "successful failure," both for the driver to avoid the crash and for the military aircraft to crash with minimal damage and no injuries to anyone.
National Guard Aircraft Buzzes Tesla Before Crashing In A Field - Jalopnik
Most people wouldn't have believed it if his Tesla hadn't captured the near-miss on its dash cam.
www.jalopnik.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:21 PM
This is the definition of a "successful failure," both for the driver to avoid the crash and for the military aircraft to crash with minimal damage and no injuries to anyone.