Profile avatar
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.
895 posts 611 followers 310 following
Prolific Poster
Conversation Starter

I’ll just leave this here.

A cold air intake might add a little horsepower sometimes, but I mainly do it for the sound it makes.

I like planes, too.

Not to worry, I'm still writing about motorcycles. #motosky

Guilty as charged.

My first publication at Jalopnik! (Not my first article. These things sometimes come out in a different order than they are created.)

I haven't posted much lately. Been busy getting up to speed at Jalopnik in addition to all my other work. But it's going well, and my first stories will start being published on Sunday. 🙂

Just saying…

I wish my prediction hadn’t been so accurate so soon. 🙁

A bit over 10 years ago, I thought to myself, "I wonder if I could write something good enough to get published on Jalopnik?" I honed my skills in the Oppositelock community and started occasionally getting posts reshared to the front page of Jalopnik, back when they did that. 🧵

Do you like Itchy Boots? You'll like her book. Don't know Itchy Boots? You'll still like her book. #motosky #advrider

Me too.

(also I like attention)

During my 2022 visit to Mt. St. Helens, I parked my camper van at the visitor center and rode my apocalypse-ready KLR650 out to Johnston Ridge. The ranger I talked to first thought that was a great idea. #motosky

Mt. St. Helens blew its top 45 years ago today. This picture is from my visit three years ago. If I’d been standing here when it blew, the pyroclastic flow would’ve taken me out.

This seems worth repeating.

Hells Librarians🔥 #LibrarySky #ReadToLive

This is what driving a Polaris Slingshot through the Arkansas Dragon is like. Full review to come on ADVRider (and perhaps beyond…?)

This, right here, is why Itchy Boots canceled her US book tour. Of all the sketchy places she’s been, the US is where she doesn’t feel safe, because of this. It’s not paranoia if it’s actually happening.

I've been pretty quiet here lately. All is well, just busy. Been trying to write up a bunch of reviews before starting a new gig next week. 🙂 I'm not giving up any of my current work, but I'm also jumping back into the auto-writing game. Pic for tax, a cat robbing my camper van's solar power.

Here's how I had the opportunity to not only meet but also sit inside one of my childhood heroes, KITT from Knight Rider.

I met one of my heroes today.

Just saw the SE BDR movie. Looks like yet another epic route! Goes live on YouTube on June 4. #motosky #ridebdr

Here’s the damage after we hit a stupid vulture. 😮 None at all, maybe moved my spotlight a little. It was more of a glancing blow as it flew low across our path, and I was hard on the brakes when i saw it coming. We didn’t even knock it out of the sky so I imagine it’s not hurt too bad. #motosky

Re-skeeting with alt text

I took the Slingshot to an iconic Ozark motorcycle destination, the Oark Cafe. The roads to get there are excellent, including the famous Pig Trail. Only problem was gravel in the center of the lane from recent rain causing the back wheel to lose traction a few times. #threewheelproblems

I try to keep things positive and don't write a lot of negative reviews. But I'm not going to lie, and sometimes it can't be helped when something truly deserves it. Don't promise a motorcycle racing documentary but deliver a religious documentary that sensationalizes death and danger. #motosky

Last night I wished I had a Starfleet uniform so I could pull a @wilwheaton.net and wear it to the 20th anniversary screening of Revenge of the Sith. 🖖

The rain has put a damper on further road trips this week, but last weekend my wife and I got out for a fun cruise in the Polaris Slingshot.