Food For Thought - Long Distance Programme

[midnight_son]

So, its 3rd May and for most Scottish feds either the 2nd or 3rd race of the OB season. How far were we all flying ? Somewhere between 60 and 110 miles probably. How would you have got on if you had been flying 415 miles today ? Would you think it do-able ?

 

I've kept in touch with the lads from the Newcastle area who ferried my BICC Le Mans entries to the racepoint last year. They have set out to compete in BICC and NFC races at long distances and their first BICC race from Falaise was today. Falaise is 415 miles to them and to the best of my knowledge there was virtually nobody else competing within near 100 miles of them. I received an e-mail tonight to let me know that they had timed a number of pigeons tonight, earliest at 1815 from an 8am lib. These birds will take respectable positions against opponents flying below 200 miles in many cases so they've not just slogged up in their own time, they've done a decent speed. They'll be at Alencon in 2 weeks, then Tours two weeks after that, leading into Cholet, Saintes etc with NFC before trying the International races.

 

The question is, if fanciers who are little more than a long toss from south and central Scotland can get their birds ready for 415 miles on 3rd May and by doing so, set themselves up for an ongoing long distance programme from this weekend through to the start of August, then why are Scottish long distance fanciers depriving themselves of a proper programme rather than a load of sprint races and crowbar our 3 (4 if you count Ypres?)distance races into 3 weeks back to back. This is not a dig at the SNFC because the race programme is what the members voted for and to be fair, we have fallen into a routine programme over the last few years and nobody has come up with anything much different in the proposals.

 

So who fancies an extra channel race or two in late May early June in future ? Just me ?

[Heeps bros]

Am up for that come on scottish lads

[VMS]

Easier racing down there IMO no disrespect intended,West of scotland different ball game

[dal2]

I would be worried about the cold weather that we would have to train in to get the birds time on wing. My obvious prob is that i dont race a lot of pigeons and even less good distance ones, I fear a prolonged season would wipe me out!

 

I also feel that the distance racing pn the south and east coasts of england are a diffo game than ours

[andy]

So, its 3rd May and for most Scottish feds either the 2nd or 3rd race of the OB season. How far were we all flying ? Somewhere between 60 and 110 miles probably. How would you have got on if you had been flying 415 miles today ? Would you think it do-able ?

 

I've kept in touch with the lads from the Newcastle area who ferried my BICC Le Mans entries to the racepoint last year. They have set out to compete in BICC and NFC races at long distances and their first BICC race from Falaise was today. Falaise is 415 miles to them and to the best of my knowledge there was virtually nobody else competing within near 100 miles of them. I received an e-mail tonight to let me know that they had timed a number of pigeons tonight, earliest at 1815 from an 8am lib. These birds will take respectable positions against opponents flying below 200 miles in many cases so they've not just slogged up in their own time, they've done a decent speed. They'll be at Alencon in 2 weeks, then Tours two weeks after that, leading into Cholet, Saintes etc with NFC before trying the International races.

 

The question is, if fanciers who are little more than a long toss from south and central Scotland can get their birds ready for 415 miles on 3rd May and by doing so, set themselves up for an ongoing long distance programme from this weekend through to the start of August, then why are Scottish long distance fanciers depriving themselves of a proper programme rather than a load of sprint races and crowbar our 3 (4 if you count Ypres?)distance races into 3 weeks back to back. This is not a dig at the SNFC because the race programme is what the members voted for and to be fair, we have fallen into a routine programme over the last few years and nobody has come up with anything much different in the proposals.

 

So who fancies an extra channel race or two in late May early June in future ? Just me ?

I can understand the way your thinking Jamie but as you know it takes pigeon fanciers a mile to move an inch. At present I think the SNFC comittee (leaders) have to take the bull by the horns and start with the Gold Cup and Longest Race, both of which have the least birdage and re-introduce something like the old Usher Vaux (International) races, with the North East and North West of England, first of all to increase interest in long distance racing. A few years ago when the Ypres race was introduced there was a few hundred pigeons, now it has the biggest entry. Just introducing another channel race in May/June wouldn't cut it, as most distance fanciers lofts for example would maybe have a team of 12-20 pigeons for the channel programme which they would just spread their entries over an extra race, much like when the first Falaise was re-introduced to the programme a few years back the entry was about 1100. The "LEADERS" need to make it ATTRACTIVE as the BICC have done over the last few years, for the Scottish fancy to compete again in long distance racing.

[dal2]

I can understand the way your thinking Jamie but as you know it takes pigeon fanciers a mile to move an inch. At present I think the SNFC comittee (leaders) have to take the bull by the horns and start with the Gold Cup and Longest Race, both of which have the least birdage and re-introduce something like the old Usher Vaux (International) races, with the North East and North West of England, first of all to increase interest in long distance racing. A few years ago when the Ypres race was introduced there was a few hundred pigeons, now it has the biggest entry. Just introducing another channel race in May/June wouldn't cut it, as most distance fanciers lofts for example would maybe have a team of 12-20 pigeons for the channel programme which they would just spread their entries over an extra race, much like when the first Falaise was re-introduced to the programme a few years back the entry was about 1100. The "LEADERS" need to make it ATTRACTIVE as the BICC have done over the last few years, for the Scottish fancy to compete again in long distance racing.

Ye why are fanciers sending to ypres rather than gold cup/longest? Is their a fear of the longer races and they see this is as an easier option or does tge number of yearlings entered enhance the birdage

[geordie1234]

Reading a Lanarkshire fed book from the 50's they used to race Avaranches the first weekend of May... if the programme was earlier you would get bigger birdages I reckon as there would be less casualties in fed races

[Guest IB]

I think the weather in Scotland during March & April is colder now than it was back in the 60s, 70s and 80s and it would be hard now to try and get birds ready for channel racing in May. There's also the added problem of increased BOP activity during those months. For these reasons some believe the OB and YB racing should start later, and finish later.

 

I agree that for at least those established distance fanciers, there is a sameness and staleness in the race program which prevents those fanciers from aspiring / moving on to greater things. Having done the business at 500 & 600 miles, I would have expected these fanciers' sights to be set on competing at the next levels for them, e.g. 700 & 800 miles, and in International competition, and at least calls for a move towards that from within the club.

[andy Burgess]

So, its 3rd May and for most Scottish feds either the 2nd or 3rd race of the OB season. How far were we all flying ? Somewhere between 60 and 110 miles probably. How would you have got on if you had been flying 415 miles today ? Would you think it do-able ?

 

I've kept in touch with the lads from the Newcastle area who ferried my BICC Le Mans entries to the racepoint last year. They have set out to compete in BICC and NFC races at long distances and their first BICC race from Falaise was today. Falaise is 415 miles to them and to the best of my knowledge there was virtually nobody else competing within near 100 miles of them. I received an e-mail tonight to let me know that they had timed a number of pigeons tonight, earliest at 1815 from an 8am lib. These birds will take respectable positions against opponents flying below 200 miles in many cases so they've not just slogged up in their own time, they've done a decent speed. They'll be at Alencon in 2 weeks, then Tours two weeks after that, leading into Cholet, Saintes etc with NFC before trying the International races.

 

The question is, if fanciers who are little more than a long toss from south and central Scotland can get their birds ready for 415 miles on 3rd May and by doing so, set themselves up for an ongoing long distance programme from this weekend through to the start of August, then why are Scottish long distance fanciers depriving themselves of a proper programme rather than a load of sprint races and crowbar our 3 (4 if you count Ypres?)distance races into 3 weeks back to back. This is not a dig at the SNFC because the race programme is what the members voted for and to be fair, we have fallen into a routine programme over the last few years and nobody has come up with anything much different in the proposals.

 

So who fancies an extra channel race or two in late May early June in future ? Just me ?

i understand exactly where you are coming from pal. i also agree with the other comments made . personally feel "today" you are in the minority , despite what many claim they want .

in your shoe,s i would appeal to S.N.F.C. & S.N.R.P.C. members to have a "Scottish greater distance club" . those few who join you , can then race in the longer events early on if they so wish . you may then if your achievments appear attractive , gain more support . best of luck.

[dal2]

I think the weather in Scotland during March & April is colder now than it was back in the 60s, 70s and 80s and it would be hard now to try and get birds ready for channel racing in May. There's also the added problem of increased BOP activity during those months. For these reasons some believe the OB and YB racing should start later, and finish later.

 

I agree that for at least those established distance fanciers, there is a sameness and staleness in the race program which prevents those fanciers from aspiring / moving on to greater things. Having done the business at 500 & 600 miles, I would have expected these fanciers' sights to be set on competing at the next levels for them, e.g. 700 & 800 miles, and in International competition, and at least calls for a move towards that from within the club.

800 mile and beyond! Thats attriction for me and not distance racing.

I would like to see tge old bird season run a wee bit longer and although difficult the yb season to start earlier

[knoxjn]

Jamie I flew with the british Barcelona club nantes race when I stayed in longniddry in the nineties the furthest race they had was thirsk then I trained them myself and got them in good time but never on the result obviously everybody thought I was mad was great to see you doing the same and better last season as for up here never happen we now have guys who want all birds home before the clocks or the race is a disaster

[midnight_son]

For clarity, I'm not all that bothered about 800 miles plus, as Stevie Dal says, that is becoming attritional. I also wouldn't use the word stale as nobody is more excited than me when the big ones come around. All I'm saying is that we in Scotland could make more of the channel season by giving it a fresh thought and not being completely bound by the routine that we have stumbled into since the inland nationals came along. We have a loft-ful of 500-700 mile pedigrees and nowhere to send them until last week of June but there are people relatively nearby who have shown the way and are flying 500 miles by the end of May. Meanwhile we let the whole of June including the longest day(let alone May!) pass us by then have a mad rush to squeeze our channel programme into the last 3 weeks.

 

Andy M, I take your point and agree re: Usher Vaux type stuff but the members would need to mandate the committee to take it forward I assume. Its a pity that a mass lib with UNC and WDA couldn't be achieved at Ypres as part of the commemoration this year but that type of thing would be a great event, particularly if it was a tad further. For example don't the NEHU have a classic race bringing together both UNC & WDA from Clermont or Beauvais in early June with about 14,000 birdage, would that not be a cracking event for Scottish birds to join in with ? My thinking is that if you spread the races out then more birds can be recycled back into the other races and potentially support more races if joint convoying can be tapped into.

[Guest Gareth Rankin]

Reading a Lanarkshire fed book from the 50's they used to race Avaranches the first weekend of May... if the programme was earlier you would get bigger birdages I reckon as there would be less casualties in fed races

Believe that was 1st weekend in June and not May, fed race back then use to be from Dol, approx 505 miles.

[Guest Gareth Rankin]

For clarity, I'm not all that bothered about 800 miles plus, as Stevie Dal says, that is becoming attritional. I also wouldn't use the word stale as nobody is more excited than me when the big ones come around. All I'm saying is that we in Scotland could make more of the channel season by giving it a fresh thought and not being completely bound by the routine that we have stumbled into since the inland nationals came along. We have a loft-ful of 500-700 mile pedigrees and nowhere to send them until last week of June but there are people relatively nearby who have shown the way and are flying 500 miles by the end of May. Meanwhile we let the whole of June including the longest day(let alone May!) pass us by then have a mad rush to squeeze our channel programme into the last 3 weeks.

 

Andy M, I take your point and agree re: Usher Vaux type stuff but the members would need to mandate the committee to take it forward I assume. Its a pity that a mass lib with UNC and WDA couldn't be achieved at Ypres as part of the commemoration this year but that type of thing would be a great event, particularly if it was a tad further. For example don't the NEHU have a classic race bringing together both UNC & WDA from Clermont or Beauvais in early June with about 14,000 birdage, would that not be a cracking event for Scottish birds to join in with ? My thinking is that if you spread the races out then more birds can be recycled back into the other races and potentially support more races if joint convoying can be tapped into.

 

Ypres race the first weekend in June would be great, fair distance that would allow pigeons to be double back into other channel races. Clermont which is 75 miles further than Ypres could potentially have a detrimental effect on the Gold cup race. Most pigeons are capable of flying Ypres but Clermont is a different kettle of fish.

[geordie1234]

Believe that was 1st weekend in June and not May, fed race back then use to be from Dol, approx 505 miles.

Pretty sure I read it in a 1951 fed book... ah well I'll keep quiet lol

[andy]

Ye why are fanciers sending to ypres rather than gold cup/longest? Is their a fear of the longer races and they see this is as an easier option or does tge number of yearlings entered enhance the birdage

Yep Steven definately yearling enhanced doubled back from Maidstone!