Joe Salas
A teenage Joe wanted to be an '1337 h4x0r' and create a world of havoc in the internet of things as a blackhat when the dot-com bustle began in the late 90's – that, or become a pro FPS gamer. Instead, he found his calling in photography in his early twenties, and rose to notoriety as a racetrack action photographer with an eye for extreme motorcycle shenanigans – while also just quietly being a bit of a gun rider behind the handlebars himself.
His penchant for writing developed as he started capturing his personal adventures and experiences, along with photos, as part of his 4theriders photography business. As fate would have it, Joe's life on two wheels came to an abrupt halt in July 2022 thanks to a freak accident, which also sidelined him as an action photographer.
Since 2024, Joe has found a new home at New Atlas, working on the tech side of the business behind the scenes, but also contributing plenty as a writer. With high-octane gasoline in his veins, Joe brings expert knowledge in auto/moto and anything with an engine. He also gets the sleeves up on a range of consumer technologies and gadgets, and having spent many years on the road living in an RV and travelling across the USA, he's also extremely well versed in the joys and challenges of outdoor, off-grid living and adventure travel.
Based in South Texas, USA, he writes from the heart, and hopes to give you a laugh, to inform, and to connect. When not scouring news and technology feeds, he spends his days as dad to three adorable little girls, and his nights trying to stay awake long enough to play a bit of Starfield.
