The thing is about the sport.

[Buster121]

100% agree mate

[PeteDerby]

This is a true point about racing pigeons, in every race we have a winner. And then of course we have the birds runners up, or clocking in a bit later. So it can be a long season, and at the end of the season. You can sit and go over what kind of season your birds performances were. Not only in racing but also in breeding. There are so many club racing members, who just like to be part of the sport, they enjoy watching their birds return. And they feel even better if they get a good result at the club, when the clocks have been done and race sheets printed.

So when you look at the sport of racing pigeons, you have so many losers to make a winner in the race. So just keep on enjoying what you enjoy, good luck to all our members for next year. In your breeding of your future youngsters, that may go to be future winners.

Very interesting views mate. A guy I fish with always says “it’s called fishing not catching”. In the same way I suppose we can say the same - it’s pigeon racing not pigeon winning. I’m going to do my level best to win races but I fall into the category of one who’s happy to be in a position to compete rather than win or don’t bother. Not saying I’m right, just my view.

[PeteDerby]

I remember I had a Harry hen. I thought I would give her ago over the water, so I sent her to Forgures, France. She was a two-year-old, and she was looking well. So it was a distance of, I think, 365 miles, and on the day, there was a headwind. She clocked in 3 hours and 47 minutes. I was second in club beat by a whisker, 5th Liverpool amal, and 12th in the combine. I felt the hen did really well. She was the start of my Harry rudy breeding.

I must say I enjoyed her folding and entering the loft. not bad for first time over the channel

That’s the bit I’m looking forward to more than anything; particularly one that I’ve known since it was an egg.

[king]

I remember I had a Harry hen. I thought I would give her ago over the water, so I sent her to Forgures, France. She was a two-year-old, and she was looking well. So it was a distance of, I think, 365 miles, and on the day, there was a headwind. She clocked in 3 hours and 47 minutes. I was second in club beat by a whisker, 5th Liverpool amal, and 12th in the combine. I felt the hen did really well. She was the start of my Harry rudy breeding.

I must say I enjoyed her folding and entering the loft. not bad for first time over the channel

3 hours and 47 mins?

[Diamond Dave]

LOL Happy new year to all my fellow LOSERS.

[goose1]

LOL Happy new year to all my fellow LOSERS.

We all lose more than we win mate I certainly do
But I do like to win I can’t lie I send to win and I think most of my club mates do judging by how the room is on a Saturday at clocks .
I think if I didn’t I would just enjoy sending to the long races where there flying 500 plus so it’s a achievement to get one in the day so it’s something to be proud of even if behind
where any pigeon should be able to home from 100 miles in my view if treated fairly

And when you win from a long race its another level of feeling to me at least. Inland winners are ten to the dozen but pigeons flying 10/12/14 hours and even pigeons flying 600 mile and above next day with good velocities, don't grow on trees they are the epitome of the sport in my opinion. Folk say we're a distance loft we enjoy all old bird racing and id like to think always held our own at all distances, we've won old bird inland average in fed 2 out the last 3 years and were runners up the other time so its not like we don't compete inland but winners at the distance their on another level. Only my opinion of course.

We're far more chilled out about the game now though it's not life and death, we enjoy it more and the pigeons seem to too.

[goose1]

We all lose more than we win mate I certainly do
But I do like to win I can’t lie I send to win and I think most of my club mates do judging by how the room is on a Saturday at clocks .
I think if I didn’t I would just enjoy sending to the long races where there flying 500 plus so it’s a achievement to get one in the day so it’s something to be proud of even if behind
where any pigeon should be able to home from 100 miles in my view if treated fairly

And when you win from a long race its another level of feeling to me at least. Inland winners are ten to the dozen but pigeons flying 10/12/14 hours and even pigeons flying 600 mile and above next day with good velocities, don't grow on trees they are the epitome of the sport in my opinion. Folk say we're a distance loft we enjoy all old bird racing and id like to think always held our own at all distances, we've won old bird inland average in fed 2 out the last 3 years and were runners up the other time so its not like we don't compete inland but winners at the distance their on another level. Only my opinion of course.

We're far more chilled out about the game now though it's not life and death, we enjoy it more and the pigeons seem to too.

How are you Goose nice to see you posting
I think your right my trouble is I’m on my own the loft isn’t at home and to be honest the feds competitive and I’m at the club in 15 mins after work Friday
I think if I had more time and able to get regular Thursdays off to travel to the marking station I may well have a go
But I know I couldn’t do both with time
I’m not against the idea but I do get a buzz with my sprint cocks on a Saturday
Funny enough I have been saying to Mike L this last year I will add a few 300-450 mile birds to test in a couple of races a year just so I’m working on something then maybe have a base to add some longer distance birds to from your and my friend one day to cover me from 300-600 although that’s a few years away yet

I'm good Neil hope you are too. Struggle to post when I don't see a topic that really interests me. It must be hard on your own there's 3 of us we all still work full time one has a small baby so that's his priority but even with 3 of us to put the required time in you need to to be successful with pigeons it's a fight so do really feel for you on your own. I hope you do get the chance to have a go at the longer ones because you can clearly fly a pigeon and with your attention to detail it's clear you have from your posts you would certainly get them. If you ever want to try a pair from us just give me a shout.

[Buster121]

As we have said before, pigeon racing/homing is a sport anyone can enjoy. We all have different ideas and goals but all enjoy what we do, otherwise we'd pack it in. Without those at the bottom of the sheet where is the pleasure of being at the top !!
I send to every race in the club regardless as I enjoy racing and want to support the club, I know I won't win most weeks, but if I can pick up a win or two in the longer races then I've had a good season. Yes I'd like to get a bit closer in the shorter races and need to put in more effort, but it's not what drives me on.
I have had my loft inspection this year and will join the BICC again with a view to racing the channel as well as North Road with the Federation.

Good luck with it Trev

[Diamond Dave]

I am a realist but I guess that also makes me a loser! I realised some time ago that I could never compete at club/fed level. I dont have the resources, time or the wherewithall to do so. My family always take priority and up until recently ran a business.
To hear you guys talk about what you need to do to get to the prize table leaves me with no illusion that I don't even want to join you at that table.
The legend Anthony Webster once described ppl like me perfectly in a post on the old chat, more or less saying that I was indeed a loser. I don't disagree with any of it but one thing I never do is make excuses for me or my birds.
I enjoy the club banter, company and craic but I rarely have a clock set for club races.
My only aim, goal, dream, whatever you want to call it is to get a bird in the clock from Barcelona and simply getting them home from any of the races leading up to it gives me absolute pleasure and makes me a winner in my eyes.
We are all very different.

[Silvercock]

Good luck David , hope your dream comes true