About me
I'm Paul Massey but I'm also known as "the DustRoom" so most of my friends call me "Dust" or "Dusty".
I'm a forty-something bloke, proud father, Ducatista, petrolhead, and general oddball. But above all else, I'm a passionate motorcyclist. I love hitting the open road on my beloved bike and feeling the wind in my face. I've already made many friends through my love of bikes.
I currently live in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, a city that is surrounded by breathtaking scenery and picturesque roads, making it an excellent place for a passionate rider like myself. I love nothing more than exploring the winding roads and hills surrounding the city, and I feel very lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the country.
Music
I make music under the moniker "the DustRoom" as well, you can find my music on all major streaming platforms:
https://songwhip.com/thedustroom
Read more about my music here.
Motorcycles
I'm excited to share my journey as a motorcyclist here on this blog and also on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
I am not truly myself unless I'm on my bike.
My journey to two wheels
After recovering from a serious illness in early 2022, I decided to set myself a new goal and, after many years of meaning to do it, finally challenge myself to take my bike test. Little did I realise at the time that it would be an even more exciting and rewarding journey than I had expected.
It all started with completing my Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) on 8th March 2022. I remember feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness as I arrived at the training centre. During the CBT, I learned the basics of riding a motorbike, including how to control the bike, how to stop safely, and how to ride on the road. It was a great way to get started with riding a motorbike, and it provided me with a foundation for further training.
After completing my CBT, I moved on to the Module One (MOD1) test. I was apprehensive but also confident in the skills I had learned during the CBT. I completed a number of training days before I was finally ready. The MOD1 test was challenging, and I had to manoeuvre the bike through a series of exercises that tested my control and balance. But I managed to pass the test on 25th April 2022, which was a huge relief and a boost to my confidence.
After completing the MOD1 test, I was feeling confident in my abilities and decided to pop into SMC in Sheffield just to have a look at some bikes. However, as soon as I saw the 2018 Ducati Scrambler Classic that they had, I just couldn't resist it. It was love at first sight, and I knew that I had to have it.
I then had to tackle the Module Two (MOD2) test and I felt a little pressure now that I had a bike ready and waiting for me. This test focused on my ability to ride safely and competently on the road, and it was more extensive than the CBT and MOD1 tests. During the MOD2 test, I had to demonstrate my ability to navigate a range of traffic situations, including junctions, roundabouts, and dual carriageways. I was thrilled when I passed the MOD2 test on 10th May 2022, which meant that I could finally apply for my full motorbike license.
My 46th birthday was on the 12th of May 2022, and I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate than by riding my Ducati Scrambler on the winding roads of the countryside. The sun was shining, and the wind was in my face, making it a perfect day for a ride. As I rode, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in passing my motorbike test and finally being able to enjoy the freedom of riding on the open road.
Looking back, passing my motorbike test was a significant achievement. It required dedication, hard work, and a lot of practice. But it was also a fun and rewarding experience, and I now have the skills and knowledge to ride a motorbike safely and confidently on the road. I'm excited to see where my motorbike takes me in the future, and I can't wait to explore new places and take in the beauty of the world from the comfort of my very own bike.
Deciding to change
After riding for six months, I found that I was spending more time in the Peak District and riding way more miles than I initially expected. My friend "Pointy" rides a BMW K 1600 GTL and my little Scrambler, as much as I loved it, just wasn't really fitting the bill for me.
In the towns and the city, the Scrambler was fantastic, on the open road it was great until you got up to speed and then I found the buffeting to be quite annoying and started to find it a little limiting and on the motorway, it was really unpleasant.
We had talked about doing the NC500 a while back, with a plan to do it in cars but now we were discussing doing it on bikes. I needed something a bit more capable of mile-munching and for me, it would have to be a Ducati.
Trading up to a new Multistrada V2
I had fancied a Ducati Multistrada for a while, a used 1260S ideally but I visited Sheffield Motorcycle Centre one day and was offered a great deal on a brand new Ducati Multistrada V2 which I couldn't refuse.
I thought about keeping the Scrambler to sit alongside the Multistrada, but my friends asked how often, if ever, would I use it when the "Multi" was right there, so I decided to part with it and stick to just one bike... for now at least.
With my new Ducati Multistrada V2, I plan to have some fun adventures which I will feature on my YouTube Channel and detail on this blog.
I will also share the work I'm doing on the bike, here on this blog, as well as some of my thoughts and general musings.
Mental Health
I have found that riding my motorcycle has had a significant positive impact on my mental health. Riding provides me with a sense of freedom, having the wind in my face and experiencing the sound of the engine is invigorating. The sense of focus required while riding also provides me with a break from my daily routine and helps me clear my mind. Being on my bike and feeling the power and control is an incredible experience that is hard to describe. I find that I am not truly myself unless I'm on my bike.
Mental Health Motorbike
In addition to my love for motorcycles, and because I find motorcycles have a positive impact on my own mental health, I'm also passionate about mental health awareness and want to help others who might be struggling.
I watched The Motorbike Show, in one episode which aired in October 2022, presenter Henry Cole met up with Mental Health Motorbike at Outkast Cafe in Matlock Bath, Derbyshire. I thought that this was an excellent resource for bikers in the UK and wanted to get involved.
Mental Health Motorbike is a charity that exists to create meaningful opportunities so that they can grow the greater well-being of the motorbike community. Their ultimate aim is to reduce suicide amongst bikers in the UK.
They are building a free, dedicated network of trained Mental Health First Aiders who can support other bikers across the UK.
I have completed my training as a Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®) through MHFA England and look forward to helping out where I can locally as well as supporting other bikers in person and online. I'm proud to be part of such a much-needed and worthwhile cause.
For more information about Mental Health Motorbike, please see their website, and get involved with them, myself and the many other Mental Health First Aiders via their Facebook group.
If you need emergency help please refer to this page on their website.
Follow Me
You can find me on the following platforms:
Contact Me
You can contact me at: paul@thedustroom.net