Name : Tom Dullage
Nickname : Nuke (you’ll see why below)
Location : Heysham, Lancashire.
Occupation : Operations Engineer, Nuclear Power Station
Skills
If you want a reactor re-fuelled, I’m your man! Not much use out in the real world,
sadly. I turn my hand to most things, but not to a degree where I can offer useable
skills to others.
Status
Married to Pauline (30+ years ), son Phil (engaged to Louise), daughter Sarah (married
to Pete). Phil and Louise have recently had a son, Aaron, our first grandchild. Phil
currently rides a Honda CB1300, but with a mortgage and an extra mouth to feed I
suspect it may have to go soon! Pillion Pauline has ridden pillion with me since
we first met, and is as keen on the bike as I am. I rarely ride the bike without
her on the back.
Bike history
My first bike was a Suzuki GT125, a two-stroke twin, bought new in 1976. Unusually,
I had a car first, passing my car test in 1974. The bike test, passed in 1976 on
the little Suzy, was a complete joke. Just ride round and round the block stopping
occasionally for instructions from the examiner (on foot!), including an emergency
stop when he stepped into the road holding up a newspaper (he was so far away I had
to ride to meet him after the stop!). After that I had various bikes, a Honda XL125,
Honda CB500F, Zundap 125 Enduro etc. until shortly after we got married. In about
1980 I swapped the bike for a small boat (Fawley Power Station had moorings and a
sailing club) and we were without a bike for some years. Around 1986 I got another
Honda CB500F, but it was a bit of a dog and was eventually replaced by a Honda CX500EC,
one of the best bikes I’ve owned. Next came a Suzuki 600 Bandit, the only bike Pauline
refused to ride pillion on (after the first ride). Then came a couple of years without
a road bike due to the cost of riding motorcycle trials (Phil was getting quite good
and we planned for him to compete in the Youth A national championship, sadly that
was the year of foot & mouth disease and there were no trials to ride). In 2002,
quite by chance, I bought a Kawasaki VN800 Classic, the first I had ever seen, and
that changed our lives quite a lot! Looking for information about the bike, I found
the VRA UK web site and decided to join the club. We had never joined a bike club
before or regularly gone for long rides or weekend camping trips. Suddenly we were
meeting friendly people with similar bikes and interests and generally having a great
time. Now we’ve regularly done Sunday rides in excess of 300 miles, we’ve toured
Scotland, ridden the End-to-end and even been to Belgium on the bike. Longest ride
in a day so far is around 450 miles, but I’ve an ambition to do the End-to-End Iron
Butt ride of 1000 miles in 24 hours. A couple of years ago I bought a Kawasaki 1500
Classic FI, which is proving to be a great bike. We now also tow a small trailer
with the 1500, which makes camping more comfortable, as we can carry a larger tent
and a few home comforts.
After almost 10 years with the VN800, and quite a few modifications, I’ve finally
decided to part company and sell it. This was not an easy decision after all that
time, but I have been finding the 1500 very relaxing to ride and the 800 was spending
more and more time standing unused.
Favourite Rides
There’s quite a long list! I have always liked riding around the Lake District and
the Yorkshire Dales, living in Heysham means either is only 40 minutes away. Honister
Pass and Buttermere in the Lake District must rate as one of the best rides for the
stunning scenery. Wensleydale also has fantastic views. Scotland has many great roads,
one of the highlights for me was the ride to Applecross over Bealach-na-ba. Wales
is another place full of brilliant riding, I’ve done a number of club rides there.
When I visit my father near Southampton I sometimes take the long way round (to coin
a phrase!) and ride home through Wales.
Other Interests
Mountain biking, photography (not very good at it!), walking. I’ve recently renewed
my interest in radio-controlled model aircraft, having bought a small helicopter,
which is great fun indoors when there’s nothing else to do! I’m pretty sure an outdoor
fixed-wing aircraft won’t be far behind.
