Jerry Smith, writer, motorcyclist, Sophie's dad.
@jerrysmith6559.bsky.social
Freelance writer/editor, motorcyclist, motojournalist, dogfather, optipessimist. jerrysmithauthor.com
Saturday vibe activated. #goldenretriever #dogsofbluesky
December 13, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Saturday vibe activated. #goldenretriever #dogsofbluesky
I spent about two months on and off fixing up the KLR. I'm not a gifted mechanic--my wrenching chops owe more to dogged persistence than to skill--so I'm unreasonably pleased whenever I walk by the bike and don't see a puddle of oil or coolant under it. DIY FTW. #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
December 12, 2025 at 12:44 AM
I spent about two months on and off fixing up the KLR. I'm not a gifted mechanic--my wrenching chops owe more to dogged persistence than to skill--so I'm unreasonably pleased whenever I walk by the bike and don't see a puddle of oil or coolant under it. DIY FTW. #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
Sophie when I open the closet where I keep my motorcycle gear: "Don't pet any dogs while you're gone. I'll know if you do." #goldenretriever #dogsofbluesky #motosky
December 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Sophie when I open the closet where I keep my motorcycle gear: "Don't pet any dogs while you're gone. I'll know if you do." #goldenretriever #dogsofbluesky #motosky
The light, the smells, and the roads on today's ride triggered hazy memories of someplace I once lived (Marin County? Long Beach?) where the evening fog rolled in like a blanket and what began as a sunny ride ended in shivers. Another reason bikes beat cars: Cars can't do this. #motosky #motorcycle
December 11, 2025 at 1:19 AM
The light, the smells, and the roads on today's ride triggered hazy memories of someplace I once lived (Marin County? Long Beach?) where the evening fog rolled in like a blanket and what began as a sunny ride ended in shivers. Another reason bikes beat cars: Cars can't do this. #motosky #motorcycle
I got my Sophie at seven weeks old. I took her outside every four hours day and night and she was housebroken in 2.5 weeks. That lost sleep was worth it.
And yes, you'll be besties.
And yes, you'll be besties.
December 9, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I got my Sophie at seven weeks old. I took her outside every four hours day and night and she was housebroken in 2.5 weeks. That lost sleep was worth it.
And yes, you'll be besties.
And yes, you'll be besties.
I just discovered an oil filter I've been hanging onto for years, without knowing how or where I got it, fits my new-to-me KLR650. I now feel vindicated for all those times I thought, "I don't know what this is for but I might need it someday." #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
December 9, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I just discovered an oil filter I've been hanging onto for years, without knowing how or where I got it, fits my new-to-me KLR650. I now feel vindicated for all those times I thought, "I don't know what this is for but I might need it someday." #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
Every time I buy dog food from Chewy I get an email asking me to review the product. I keep telling them they're asking the wrong person. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
December 9, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Every time I buy dog food from Chewy I get an email asking me to review the product. I keep telling them they're asking the wrong person. #dogsofbluesky #goldenretriever
Rode today in blustery wind under angry skies. Saw only one other bike--another KLR. Go team! #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
December 8, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Rode today in blustery wind under angry skies. Saw only one other bike--another KLR. Go team! #motosky #motorcycle #klr650
As a writer in print and online for 45 years, with bylines in national magazines, and three novels to my name, the question I get asked most often is, "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you like this?" Find out for just $2.99. #motosky #motorcycle #books
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H
December 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
As a writer in print and online for 45 years, with bylines in national magazines, and three novels to my name, the question I get asked most often is, "What the hell is wrong with you? Why are you like this?" Find out for just $2.99. #motosky #motorcycle #books
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H
www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNQ792H
December 7, 2025 at 6:33 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
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