Distance racing

[Albert]

The topic on Grit and Minerals has diverted into something different. I started the topic and not a problem. But I just thought that we would be better starting a new one around what’s being said in that topic.

Dave is asking about long distance racing.
To be honest I have always been more interested in sprint racing. Partly due to the lack of time I have for waiting for birds and I feel this is the best part of distance racing. Seeing one drop after hours on the wing. I know we have ETS nowadays and with the likes of my PAS system I don’t even have to be at home, could be anywhere, as I get a message on my phone when one goes over the pad and can verify from anywhere. But it’s not the same hearing that ping or finding one in the loft than actually seeing one arrive.
I have won Lerwick, which was 650 miles, had pigeons fly Thurso 550 miles and the Pau International 500 miles plus others.
When I came back into the sport after a break I was going to go just for distance racing and joined the NFC, BICC, BBC, CSCFC. For a couple of seasons or so this was the only racing I done. It was going ok. But then we had Brexit where none of them flew over the channel for a year, which didn’t bother me as I was able to race North Road which I always liked anyway. But then we had the new rules regarding vet visits etc to be able to fly the channel. I refuse to get involved with DEFRA after arguments I had with them with my farm. Also I think the cost of channel flying taking into account the cost of vet visits, membership of the various clubs, birdage fees and having to market during the day midweek have made it both difficult and expensive. I resigned from them all and at this stage have no intention of flying the channel again.
Having joined Glastonbury FC three years ago and racing just sprint racing I have enjoyed my racing.
I do however have every respect for those who still fly these distances races and the pigeons that compete in them.

Life's to short Andy.

Not sure what you mean Albert?

I mean life is to short to let DEFRA, influence the way you may want to race Andy, now that retirement is coming, and you have more time on your hands. and I don't really blame DEFRA, for what's happened with channel racing, the blame as far as I am concerned lies with the French and the EU, who are only being difficult as they have been for years if you don't play ball with them.

[Andy]

Life's to short Andy.

Not sure what you mean Albert?

I mean life is to short to let DEFRA, influence the way you may want to race Andy, now that retirement is coming, and you have more time on your hands. and I don't really blame DEFRA, for what's happened with channel racing, the blame as far as I am concerned lies with the French and the EU, who are only being difficult as they have been for years if you don't play ball with them.

Understood Albert.
I may rethink things once I’ve retired. Although I do enjoy just racing a small team of sprinters.

[Donkey Kong]

I think distance racing is harder now than it’s ever been
In fact trying to get your ybs home from a 20 mile toss without being hit is near impossible
Next year God willing the ybs will be let go at 4 at a time

[Diamond Dave]

TBF I don't think there was one easy channel races this year. Certainly those down into the middle and Southern France. As extreme as the temperatures were here, you can add another 4 or 5 degrees on them through France.
I would agree with those that say the birds should fly in such temperatures (and many of them did) but crossing that channel must be a tough ask for birds that may have already flown 3,4 and 500miles in such brutal conditions.
The thing is, it is the same ppl that do it time after time, so you can't say it's a one off or a fluke.
Like King says he couldn't compete at the distance with club, fed and combine but when it came to the nationals, it was a different story.
Everyone has told me since I started targeting the distance that you have to have the right birds, but its not just that at all, ( I believe I have the right birds) its about conditioning them and getting them right so they will fly in any extremes of weather.
I believe I am letting my birds down because I don't have that knowledge.
How do ppl do that.......

[Diamond Dave]

So, back from hols now so would love to continue this thread that Andy kindly set up, in the hope that some of you distance guys would be good enough to reply.

I would love to know how much work you guys would give to a bird that you have targeted for a 6 - 700 mile. race before basketing for the target race.

[Buster121]

So, back from hols now so would love to continue this thread that Andy kindly set up, in the hope that some of you distance guys would be good enough to reply.

I would love to know how much work you guys would give to a bird that you have targeted for a 6 - 700 mile. race before basketing for the target race.

Hope you had a good holiday Dave and hope you get some good stuff regarding distance racing

[king]

So, back from hols now so would love to continue this thread that Andy kindly set up, in the hope that some of you distance guys would be good enough to reply.

I would love to know how much work you guys would give to a bird that you have targeted for a 6 - 700 mile. race before basketing for the target race.

Dave I think that depends on your race program. The lads around me that sent to NFC Pau/Tarbes 700+ miles would give just the one race before Pau/Tarbes and that would be NFC Nantes 450+
Here's a pigeon of Brian Denney's that flew to 10 years old. Five times over 700 miles.
GB 97 N 15859 Bred and raced by Brian Denney. (Only channel races shown after YB)

YB five races to 200 miles.

1998. 412 miles and 533 miles.

1999. La Ferte Barnard 412 miles.
53rd Nothern Classic Rennes 412 ish
15th Northern Classic Saintes 573 miles.

2000. 55th open MNFC La Ferte Banard 412 miles.
20th sec K. NFC Saintes 573 miles
.
2001. 18th sec K, 364th open San Sebastian 742 miles.

2002. Pau NFC 738 miles.

2003. 17th sec K, 296th open NFC Nantes 469 miles.
NFC Saintes 573 miles.

2004. 2nd sec K, 88th open NFC Pau 738 miles.
NFC Saintes 573 miles.

2005. NFC St Nazaire 471 miles
10th sec K, 281st open NFC Tarbes 748 miles.

2006. NFC St Nazaire 471 miles.
6th sec K, 238th open NFC Bordeaux 631 miles.

2007.NFC Cholet 480 miles.
22nd sec K, 116th open NFC Tarbes 748 miles

[Diamond Dave]

Brilliant King, that's some record and just the sort of comparison I need to see where mine should be.
Just need to ask for clarification on one small point please mate.
The record states that only channel races are shown after yb racing - so would I assume that this marvellous bird never had any inland racing as an old bird.?
It is the prep to those channel races that evades me.

It is the bicc program that I race with and this year, I targeted Pau at 607 miles.
The prep I gave them was 2 inlanders down to the coast then Alencon 256 - nort sur erdre 323 then St philbert 327 before going to Pau 2 weeks later.
How would you consider that as prep for roundabout cocks - too much or not enough.....?

[king]

Brilliant King, that's some record and just the sort of comparison I need to see where mine should be.
Just need to ask for clarification on one small point please mate.
The record states that only channel races are shown after yb racing - so would I assume that this marvellous bird never had any inland racing as an old bird.?
It is the prep to those channel races that evades me.

It is the bicc program that I race with and this year, I targeted Pau at 607 miles.
The prep I gave them was 2 inlanders down to the coast then Alencon 256 - nort sur erdre 323 then St philbert 327 before going to Pau 2 weeks later.
How would you consider that as prep for roundabout cocks - too much or not enough.....?

No Dave I never showed the inland races for the bird after the YB season. The last year it raced Brian's bird had just 3 inland races to 180 miles. The distance birds would have just enough races inland to stay fit. And a couple with time on the wing. That's why many used Nantes to get 10, 11 or 12 hours into them before the target race.
I've never raced Roundabout Dave so can't answer that. I think when racing any race Dave, it's how they arrive that decides how soon they race again. I'd rather give a bird that arrives fresh every time, more races than one that arrives tired. That said, it's how quick the tired bird recovers. You can plan races on paper, but there only a guide as a prep race may not go as planned. That's when being in more than one National helps.

[Diamond Dave]

Ah thanks King. Always appreciate your replies.
I hope you might remember that you replied to one of my posts a while back (after I had a bad Bicc Pau race)suggesting that I joined the NFC - can I ask was that the reason for that the reason you said that then and did you mean as well as the Bicc or instead of the Bicc.