UkPigeonRacing

NeilA wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 12:25 pm I understand that Steve must be great to see
Mark Bulled said the same to me with my birds when I said I got no distance pigeons so a bit worried at even 400 miles
he said I will get mine on a good or fair day out of Thurso 480 miles but once it’s down in vels or further it’s different racing
I know my limits that’s for sure

Steve Howells wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 12:17 pm

goose1 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:55 am I don't know about 500 mile racing Anthony in my personal experience if their not 110% right certainly up here in Cumbria you won't be getting them from France. I do kind of know what you mean though, years back when holdovers were still a thing inland you'd often get lads pop up after an extra night in the basket who were usually also rans so I do know what you mean in terms of days in the basket do give neglected pigeons a lift.

I love racing from 300 miles plus but especially 500+ and I’ve been lucky enough to time in on the day from Bordeaux 550 miles when there were very few around and the same at Lerwick 518 miles ( won the two bird average last year sending 3 ) and if they ain’t right you won’t get em regardless.Getting them to stick 10 hours on the wing is easy, every hour after that starts to get a real challenge, but worth it when you see one fold up after 15 hours on the edge of darkness.Best of luck on your quest.

NeilA wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 12:40 pm I can imagine

I have been told that race point can be worse than Thurso as it sticks out to sea and the wrong wind can make that really hard

goose1 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 12:54 pm

Steve Howells wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 12:17 pm

goose1 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:55 am I don't know about 500 mile racing Anthony in my personal experience if their not 110% right certainly up here in Cumbria you won't be getting them from France. I do kind of know what you mean though, years back when holdovers were still a thing inland you'd often get lads pop up after an extra night in the basket who were usually also rans so I do know what you mean in terms of days in the basket do give neglected pigeons a lift.

I love racing from 300 miles plus but especially 500+ and I’ve been lucky enough to time in on the day from Bordeaux 550 miles when there were very few around and the same at Lerwick 518 miles ( won the two bird average last year sending 3 ) and if they ain’t right you won’t get em regardless.Getting them to stick 10 hours on the wing is easy, every hour after that starts to get a real challenge, but worth it when you see one fold up after 15 hours on the edge of darkness.Best of luck on your quest.

We've always been distance oriented loft. Although we have enjoyed the shorter stuff too. But purely distance/marathon now. Over the years we've had many many day birds 500+ miles. Because of our location opportunities to compete much further has been limited but the 3 furthest distances we have sent to we have won section, 527 miles she was on day was a decent enough performance. And we've won section twice at 625 miles but they weren't nothing special to be honest. 2024 we were 1st 2nd combine 497 miles both on day 11 1/2 hours and 13hrs. Probably one of the lofts best but before my time so I take no credit was Nantes 505miles, 2 together to be 1st and 2nd fed velocity 1286, another 6 mins later to be 6th fed. And 10 out of the 11 sent on the night. Sigogne with the NFC is 625 miles and I'd love to time on the day from there. And Pau is 800 miles I want to time a decent pigeon from there too. There my 2 main goals. But anytime we get a bird on the day over 400 miles it's some feeling and makes all the torture of keeping these things worth while

goose1 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:55 am I don't know about 500 mile racing Anthony in my personal experience if their not 110% right certainly up here in Cumbria you won't be getting them from France. I do kind of know what you mean though, years back when holdovers were still a thing inland you'd often get lads pop up after an extra night in the basket who were usually also rans so I do know what you mean in terms of days in the basket do give neglected pigeons a lift.

Anthony webster wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:47 pm

goose1 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:55 am I don't know about 500 mile racing Anthony in my personal experience if their not 110% right certainly up here in Cumbria you won't be getting them from France. I do kind of know what you mean though, years back when holdovers were still a thing inland you'd often get lads pop up after an extra night in the basket who were usually also rans so I do know what you mean in terms of days in the basket do give neglected pigeons a lift.

May be pal but this loft won't say names but if say they mark Thurs or Wed's and there held to say Sunday or Monday I guarantee there be in first 5 of open but if they go Saturday there clock in if its under 250 miles there be 10 to 20 mins behind but give them 4 days in crate n Jesus these get there birds.

Steve Howells wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 2:26 pm

Anthony webster wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 1:47 pm

goose1 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 11:55 am I don't know about 500 mile racing Anthony in my personal experience if their not 110% right certainly up here in Cumbria you won't be getting them from France. I do kind of know what you mean though, years back when holdovers were still a thing inland you'd often get lads pop up after an extra night in the basket who were usually also rans so I do know what you mean in terms of days in the basket do give neglected pigeons a lift.

May be pal but this loft won't say names but if say they mark Thurs or Wed's and there held to say Sunday or Monday I guarantee there be in first 5 of open but if they go Saturday there clock in if its under 250 miles there be 10 to 20 mins behind but give them 4 days in crate n Jesus these get there birds.

I wonder if it’s just down to their temperament, undoubtedly some birds do better if they have more time in the basket, if you figure out which ones you can use it to your advantage.