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.