Missed Shifts: True stories, tall tales, and outright lies from a 30-year career in motojournalism.

Motojournalism isn’t like most jobs. On any given day you might  show up for work and…

Log a thousand miles in 24 hours on a Harley Softail just to see if you can, and learn how some riders do that for 11  days in a row—and call it fun.

Cling to the bars of an FZR1000  streaking down the Mistral Straight at the Paul Ricard Circuit in the  south of France, watching the speedo needle creep past the 160 mark.  

Gaze in awe at the breathtaking emptiness of Alaska from the saddle of a  high-mile dual-sport, or get hopelessly lost in the sun-parched  landscape of eastern Washington state on a Gold Wing as black as sin.  

Ride one of Kenny Roberts’ TZ750 roadracers, then sit on the dusty floor  of an empty racetrack building and talk to the King about it for a  couple of hours. 

Trail sparks from your footpegs on the notorious Sunday  Morning Ride, or cross several state lines in a day to eat a monster chiliburger with a dozen of your best and craziest friends. 

Missed  Shifts is a collection of these and other stories told in the unique  voice of veteran motojournalist Jerry Smith, who served on the staff of Rider, Cycle Guide, and Motorcyclist before setting out on a freelance career that’s 30 years old and counting. In this book he has gathered  some of his favorite pieces, crafted in his witty style, and presented  from his slightly off-center point of view. No matter what you ride—or  whether you ride it solo or with friends—put up your sidestand, hit the  starter, and come along for the ride. 

E-BOOK: $2.99

A RICH COLLECTION ... ENGAGING AND ENTERTAINING

Jerry Smith is a real storyteller, and my  enjoyment of Missed Shifts went far beyond motorcycling. I found the  book engaging and entertaining. Not only does he write evocatively about his racing days, his  descriptions of road trips made me want to grab my car keys and take  off. He captures the warm camaraderie of strangers thrown together and  the easy humor of long-time colleagues. The sweetness of the cord that  runs from father to son and back, which brought a tear to my eye.  Memories of dogs gone by. Then throws in a couple of pieces of researched reporting. This collection is rich in many ways. Missed  Shifts is a peek inside the life of someone who has apparently, as  Joseph Campbell urged us to do, followed his bliss. Actually, it seems  like he has followed two blisses—motorcycles and writing—and has  combined them here for a truly satisfying read.

A GREAT READ FROM START TO FINISH

I've  always enjoyed Jerry Smith's writing but his somewhat nomadic career  has not always made him easy to track down. This collection of his  writings, covering everything from his racing career, long distance  rides, testing new bikes and the trials and tribulations of old old and  cheap bikes was just what I needed. A terrific read from start to finish and now [my wife] seems to be enjoying it as much as I did.

IF THIS NEVER ENDED I'D READ IT FOREVER

Too bad it wasn’t 900 pages long. I enjoyed the wit, insight, and humor immensely. I even laughed several times like an idiot causing my wife to  look over and shake her head. If there was a series of these I’d buy  the whole darn thing today.

A GREAT READ (ESPECIALLY IN WINTER)

Well  written articles, some bring back memories to me: smells, before the  rain, farm country (good and bad), routes ridden..... the sense of joy  of a rider returning to riding after many years away. This book not only  put a smile on my face, I had to explain to my wife what was so funny  about "...are you together?..." You'll have to read the book to find  out. It's well worth it.

Jerry Smith has been a professional freelance writer for more than 40 years. You'd think he'd have found a real job in that much time, but no. Instead, he's written for magazines, websites,  corporations, and—when he can carve out the time—for his own enjoyment.