Jerry Smith, writer, motorcyclist, Sophie's dad.
@jerrysmith6559.bsky.social
Freelance writer/editor, motorcyclist, motojournalist, dogfather, optipessimist. jerrysmithauthor.com
Sophie, my editorial assistant and morale officer, is 5 years old today, and employee of the year here at the home office for the fifth year running. Happy birthday, Little One. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
December 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Sophie, my editorial assistant and morale officer, is 5 years old today, and employee of the year here at the home office for the fifth year running. Happy birthday, Little One. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Took the KLR on dirt yesterday. While it's fully ready for low-key off-roading, I'm not. Fifty-seven years a street guy and I have zero dirt skills. Not sure I want any, either. But it's nice to own a bike I can get dirty and not feel like I have to wash it later. Or at all. #motosky #motorcycle
November 30, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Took the KLR on dirt yesterday. While it's fully ready for low-key off-roading, I'm not. Fifty-seven years a street guy and I have zero dirt skills. Not sure I want any, either. But it's nice to own a bike I can get dirty and not feel like I have to wash it later. Or at all. #motosky #motorcycle
Getting the feel of the KLR now after 150 miles. Tall, softly sprung, buckets of torque, surprisingly smooth at freeway speeds. Seat violates at least three articles of the Geneva Convention. As complicated as a hammer. Easy to understand the affection the model engenders. #motosky #motorcycle
November 29, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Getting the feel of the KLR now after 150 miles. Tall, softly sprung, buckets of torque, surprisingly smooth at freeway speeds. Seat violates at least three articles of the Geneva Convention. As complicated as a hammer. Easy to understand the affection the model engenders. #motosky #motorcycle
My writing career has been called "nomadic." Missed Shifts is a collection of stories about bikes, travel, and the writing life (and a few about dogs), spanning decades of freelancing. Now through Dec 31, just $10 ($5 off the regular price). #motosky #booksky www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
November 28, 2025 at 3:16 PM
My writing career has been called "nomadic." Missed Shifts is a collection of stories about bikes, travel, and the writing life (and a few about dogs), spanning decades of freelancing. Now through Dec 31, just $10 ($5 off the regular price). #motosky #booksky www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
I don't name my motorcycles but if I did this would be the Cockroach. It survived a 60-mile shakedown run today to see if everything I fixed/replaced/improved worked 100%. It did. The Cockroach...I mean the KLR is now the flagship of my two-bike (for now) fleet. #motosky #motorcycle
November 26, 2025 at 10:35 PM
I don't name my motorcycles but if I did this would be the Cockroach. It survived a 60-mile shakedown run today to see if everything I fixed/replaced/improved worked 100%. It did. The Cockroach...I mean the KLR is now the flagship of my two-bike (for now) fleet. #motosky #motorcycle
I had one. Got it for $500 with under 1000 miles on the odo. In reality more fun to look at than to ride.
November 23, 2025 at 11:54 PM
I had one. Got it for $500 with under 1000 miles on the odo. In reality more fun to look at than to ride.
This is the discard shelf at my library where you can take home books removed from circulation. I'm not surprised nobody wanted to read the one on the bottom. #booksky
November 23, 2025 at 4:45 AM
This is the discard shelf at my library where you can take home books removed from circulation. I'm not surprised nobody wanted to read the one on the bottom. #booksky
From now through the holidays, Missed Shifts is $10 in paperback, $5 off the regular price. A great gift for that riding friend who's going stir crazy because there are two feet of snow outside and their bike's on the charger. #motosky #motorcycle #booksky
www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
November 23, 2025 at 12:37 AM
From now through the holidays, Missed Shifts is $10 in paperback, $5 off the regular price. A great gift for that riding friend who's going stir crazy because there are two feet of snow outside and their bike's on the charger. #motosky #motorcycle #booksky
www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
www.amazon.com/dp/1719235317
As Sophie rightly pointed out, it was too cold to ride a motorcycle today, but just right to go to the coast, eat fish and chips (me), get pets from strangers (her), and go for a stroll on the boardwalk (both of us). #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
November 23, 2025 at 12:20 AM
As Sophie rightly pointed out, it was too cold to ride a motorcycle today, but just right to go to the coast, eat fish and chips (me), get pets from strangers (her), and go for a stroll on the boardwalk (both of us). #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
"So you're thinking about riding your motorcycle today, huh? Well, come outside with me for a minute and see how cold it is, then tell me if you wouldn't rather stay home and play with a dog."
(Narrator): Sophie was right.
#dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
(Narrator): Sophie was right.
#dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
November 22, 2025 at 7:56 PM
"So you're thinking about riding your motorcycle today, huh? Well, come outside with me for a minute and see how cold it is, then tell me if you wouldn't rather stay home and play with a dog."
(Narrator): Sophie was right.
#dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
(Narrator): Sophie was right.
#dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
I used to ride in all weather. Now if it's not at least 60F I'll stay home. Tomorrow is supposed to hit 59. I might have to bend my rule since I haven't yet put a full tank through the KLR. Now, where did I put that heated vest last year...? #motosky #motorcycle
November 22, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I used to ride in all weather. Now if it's not at least 60F I'll stay home. Tomorrow is supposed to hit 59. I might have to bend my rule since I haven't yet put a full tank through the KLR. Now, where did I put that heated vest last year...? #motosky #motorcycle
As a new KLR650 owner I'm obliged to uphold the group's reputation as cheap SOBs. Behold the $10 top box. Holds as much as some $300 boxes, and comes in bright yellow to stand out in traffic. It's been sitting on a shelf in the garage for years, waiting for its moment. #motosky #motorcycle
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 AM
As a new KLR650 owner I'm obliged to uphold the group's reputation as cheap SOBs. Behold the $10 top box. Holds as much as some $300 boxes, and comes in bright yellow to stand out in traffic. It's been sitting on a shelf in the garage for years, waiting for its moment. #motosky #motorcycle
Recalling old rides while the rain pours down outside. These are from Gerlachfest, an annual invite-only IBA gathering in Gerlach, Nevada. Unofficial Gfest motto: "Motorcycles, alcohol, and guns. What could possibly go wrong?" #motosky #motorcycle
November 20, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Recalling old rides while the rain pours down outside. These are from Gerlachfest, an annual invite-only IBA gathering in Gerlach, Nevada. Unofficial Gfest motto: "Motorcycles, alcohol, and guns. What could possibly go wrong?" #motosky #motorcycle
November 11, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Sophie had the same reaction. "Seriously? That's all that stands between me and going hungry? Your IMAGINATION?!"
November 10, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Sophie had the same reaction. "Seriously? That's all that stands between me and going hungry? Your IMAGINATION?!"
The KLR's drive train is finally sorted. I got a chain with a clip-type master, the first I've had in many years. KLR gurus assure me it'll be fine. It's not like the bike's sheer horsepower is going to fling the clip off. I may safety-wire it anyway (old racer's trick). #motosky #motorcycle
November 10, 2025 at 5:29 AM
The KLR's drive train is finally sorted. I got a chain with a clip-type master, the first I've had in many years. KLR gurus assure me it'll be fine. It's not like the bike's sheer horsepower is going to fling the clip off. I may safety-wire it anyway (old racer's trick). #motosky #motorcycle
After a 60-mile round trip to Harbor Freight and a fruitless conversation with store employees who didn't know any more about it than I did, an $80 tool I'll probably never use again whipped off the stubborn countershaft sprocket nut in about 3/5 of a second. I swear I heard it laugh at me. #motosky
November 9, 2025 at 2:03 AM
After a 60-mile round trip to Harbor Freight and a fruitless conversation with store employees who didn't know any more about it than I did, an $80 tool I'll probably never use again whipped off the stubborn countershaft sprocket nut in about 3/5 of a second. I swear I heard it laugh at me. #motosky
Waiting on just two parts to get the KLR back on the road. Would already be riding if the local Kawasaki dealer wasn't TOTALLY EFFING USELESS. Three new KLR650s in the showroom, zero parts for any year KLR in the parts department. No wonder they lose sales to the internet. #motosky #motorcycle
November 7, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Waiting on just two parts to get the KLR back on the road. Would already be riding if the local Kawasaki dealer wasn't TOTALLY EFFING USELESS. Three new KLR650s in the showroom, zero parts for any year KLR in the parts department. No wonder they lose sales to the internet. #motosky #motorcycle
Sophie is a dog of simple tastes. She doesn't need a big toy order from Chewy to be happy. Give her an old bedsheet and she's in pupper paradise. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
November 5, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Sophie is a dog of simple tastes. She doesn't need a big toy order from Chewy to be happy. Give her an old bedsheet and she's in pupper paradise. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Completing Kill Fee leaves a hole in my day previously devoted to writing. My dog is happy to get more of my attention, and my motorcycle moves quickly now toward roadworthiness. But dammit, I miss inventing people and complicating their lives. I NEED AN IDEA! #booksky #motorcycle #dogsofbluesky
November 2, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Completing Kill Fee leaves a hole in my day previously devoted to writing. My dog is happy to get more of my attention, and my motorcycle moves quickly now toward roadworthiness. But dammit, I miss inventing people and complicating their lives. I NEED AN IDEA! #booksky #motorcycle #dogsofbluesky
October 30, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Sophie loves her Chuckit ball, but she REALLY loves an old bedsheet I was going to toss but gave to her to sleep on. She's never slept on it but she wears herself out with it two or three times a day, dragging it around the house and throwing it in the air.
October 28, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Sophie loves her Chuckit ball, but she REALLY loves an old bedsheet I was going to toss but gave to her to sleep on. She's never slept on it but she wears herself out with it two or three times a day, dragging it around the house and throwing it in the air.
I began my riding career on a Kawasaki dualsport ('70 F3 Bushwacker) and may well end it on one ('04 KLR650). Read about everything that happened in between--riding, racing, writing, crashing (ouch)--in Rolling Stops, for $2.99. #motosky #motorcycle #autobiography
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H
October 27, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I began my riding career on a Kawasaki dualsport ('70 F3 Bushwacker) and may well end it on one ('04 KLR650). Read about everything that happened in between--riding, racing, writing, crashing (ouch)--in Rolling Stops, for $2.99. #motosky #motorcycle #autobiography
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H
Sophie interprets her new bed privileges very liberally. She hops up, curls into a furry ball, and slowly flattens and spreads like a stain until I'm clinging to the edge. I told her she can have half of the bed, but not the half in the middle. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
October 22, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Sophie interprets her new bed privileges very liberally. She hops up, curls into a furry ball, and slowly flattens and spreads like a stain until I'm clinging to the edge. I told her she can have half of the bed, but not the half in the middle. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever