Barcelona International

[geordie1234]

A think al give John Ellis a call see if he fancies having a go at it this year from Barcelona. :huh:

I'd go just for the challenge lol

[Valiant Fifer]

Aye well it widnae be easy but ye wid just need tae time in m8 and it wid be a guid yin no doubt about it. Lol

[We man]

Does anyone in Scotland fly this race my distance is 1037 miles :-)

Think there are more like minded people like you in Scotland who would give it a go,maybe a van between us all and get the birds all down together for marking,i just heard on Sunday that the imo great Alan Raeside of Irvine the British Record Holder from Palomos with Conqueror 1,009mls 687vel is still flying in Ayrshire,are you men or mice,squeak squeak? lol sure the Lanarkshire fed committee would be more than capable of getting it up and running as it would be done by good honest people so no problems there.

[Edinburgh west]

We need to try find out where the nearest marking station is for us guys 😃

[dal2]

We need to try find out where the nearest marking station is for us guys 😃

Why not contact Jamie Coombe as he is already racing with an English channel club. Perhaps a Cumbria fancier Could help as well

[midnight_son]

Just to be clear, we have not yet sent to anything further than Niort or Bourges with SNFC (670m). However, we are actively looking for additional long distance races and by long distance not necessarily 1000 miles, just anything over the channel that doesn't interfere with the SNFC team. In 2013 we competed with BICC from Le Mans and must say there were very welcoming and supportive. Last year we sent to Falaise and Le Mans with the North East Greater Distance Club (Newcastle area) as those races came before the SNFC programme kicked in. Again, the officials were very helpful.

 

The marking stations are a major problem as there are none that don't require a full day off work and an 8 hour round trip. I made contact with a fancier in the Newcastle area, John Rumney who is dedicated to flying the BICC programme with a few others in his area. They took our pigeons to the marking station along with his. If he wasn't sending then it would be a much bigger undertaking for us to compete. I believe the NFC have a marking station at somewhere near the Metrocentre via the Sportsmans Club so that is not too bad but for BICC you are talking about the midlands or further south.

Not sure about BBC marking stations but they have a Bordeaux race on 1st weekend of August that might be tempting if the nationals have gone well and have a few to pick from. It is certainly do-able to take part in these races and as with anything the more folk that are interested the easier and more cost-effective it becomes. If there was 10 Scottish lofts going rather than just us then splitting the costs and the time required to get birds south would make sense.

 

Anyone thinking about flying in International races needs to be aware that from 2015 onwards youngsters need to be rung with FCI logo rings. Some unions have them as standard but not the SHU so your SU15X 1234 will not be eligible. Older rings are fine. I discovered this by fluke reading the BICC AGM report so have had to order my rings from RPRA to ensure this years babies are eligible for Internationals in a few years time. At least keep the option open.

[We man]

Just to be clear, we have not yet sent to anything further than Niort or Bourges with SNFC (670m). However, we are actively looking for additional long distance races and by long distance not necessarily 1000 miles, just anything over the channel that doesn't interfere with the SNFC team. In 2013 we competed with BICC from Le Mans and must say there were very welcoming and supportive. Last year we sent to Falaise and Le Mans with the North East Greater Distance Club (Newcastle area) as those races came before the SNFC programme kicked in. Again, the officials were very helpful.

 

The marking stations are a major problem as there are none that don't require a full day off work and an 8 hour round trip. I made contact with a fancier in the Newcastle area, John Rumney who is dedicated to flying the BICC programme with a few others in his area. They took our pigeons to the marking station along with his. If he wasn't sending then it would be a much bigger undertaking for us to compete. I believe the NFC have a marking station at somewhere near the Metrocentre via the Sportsmans Club so that is not too bad but for BICC you are talking about the midlands or further south.

Not sure about BBC marking stations but they have a Bordeaux race on 1st weekend of August that might be tempting if the nationals have gone well and have a few to pick from. It is certainly do-able to take part in these races and as with anything the more folk that are interested the easier and more cost-effective it becomes. If there was 10 Scottish lofts going rather than just us then splitting the costs and the time required to get birds south would make sense.

 

Anyone thinking about flying in International races needs to be aware that from 2015 onwards youngsters need to be rung with FCI logo rings. Some unions have them as standard but not the SHU so your SU15X 1234 will not be eligible. Older rings are fine. I discovered this by fluke reading the BICC AGM report so have had to order my rings from RPRA to ensure this years babies are eligible for Internationals in a few years time. At least keep the option open.

[We man]

Sounds promising,thanks for your help.

[Valiant Fifer]

Yes Jamie I wondered what the little logo on this years GB rings was for, I just found out at wkend they are from FCI which the RPRA are part of through the Confederation. Or words to that effect. I had to get my Daughter Dani to give them a good sketch over to se what it was that was on them lol.

 

Best of luck to you and your pops when you enter some of the BICC races.

Most of us have enough of a time getting them from 500/600 plus mls, but I admire people that have a go.

Will be interesting to see if a few more Scottish fanciers take up the challenge, I know we have the birds.

[Valiant Fifer]

Just to be clear, we have not yet sent to anything further than Niort or Bourges with SNFC (670m). However, we are actively looking for additional long distance races and by long distance not necessarily 1000 miles, just anything over the channel that doesn't interfere with the SNFC team. In 2013 we competed with BICC from Le Mans and must say there were very welcoming and supportive. Last year we sent to Falaise and Le Mans with the North East Greater Distance Club (Newcastle area) as those races came before the SNFC programme kicked in. Again, the officials were very helpful.

 

The marking stations are a major problem as there are none that don't require a full day off work and an 8 hour round trip. I made contact with a fancier in the Newcastle area, John Rumney who is dedicated to flying the BICC programme with a few others in his area. They took our pigeons to the marking station along with his. If he wasn't sending then it would be a much bigger undertaking for us to compete. I believe the NFC have a marking station at somewhere near the Metrocentre via the Sportsmans Club so that is not too bad but for BICC you are talking about the midlands or further south.

Not sure about BBC marking stations but they have a Bordeaux race on 1st weekend of August that might be tempting if the nationals have gone well and have a few to pick from. It is certainly do-able to take part in these races and as with anything the more folk that are interested the easier and more cost-effective it becomes. If there was 10 Scottish lofts going rather than just us then splitting the costs and the time required to get birds south would make sense.

 

Anyone thinking about flying in International races needs to be aware that from 2015 onwards youngsters need to be rung with FCI logo rings. Some unions have them as standard but not the SHU so your SU15X 1234 will not be eligible. Older rings are fine. I discovered this by fluke reading the BICC AGM report so have had to order my rings from RPRA to ensure this years babies are eligible for Internationals in a few years time. At least keep the option open.

Jamie the National Flying Club fly from Saintes which would be APPROX 720mls, to Elphinstone a fair old fly for any pigeon. I think it is usually after the Scottish National Programmes are finished so should be about Sat 24th July this year. They may have changed the dates this year though, you would have to check their Programme . I,m pretty certain you would be able to get to a Marking Station further North and get ur birds marked at Sect J, or : Sect K, If U wanted to. :D Forgot about Sect L which is probably the nearest to yous guys.

[midnight_son]

Jamie the National Flying Club fly from Saintes which would be APPROX 720mls, to Elphinstone a fair old fly for any pigeon. I think it is usually after the Scottish National Programmes are finished so should be about Sat 24th July this year. They may have changed the dates this year though, you would have to check their Programme . I,m pretty certain you would be able to get to a Marking Station further North and get ur birds marked at Sect J, or : Sect K, If U wanted to. :D Forgot about Sect L which is probably the nearest to yous guys.

 

 

Yes Saintes was tempting but unfortunately has been brought forward by a few weeks so now clashes directly with SNFC longest race. One thing we are unlikely to do is split a 600 mile plus team over two races on the same day so SNFC will take priority. The NFC race that comes at the end of the year is now Tarbes which is a good bit further again. They have some races earlier from Fougeres, Messac and Ancenis that we might try. Those are in late May and early June so no SNFC (channel) races at that time of year.

 

As I mentioned in previous post, that Bordeaux race with BBC looks the best option at the end of the season. That will be about 770 but I haven't yet investigated where the marking is.

[ken]

if the NFC fly Barcelona this is where you want to be.Sportsman Flying Club at Toft Hill who compete in the NFC against the whole of the UK.im thinking about joining this club there just 15ml from me and I live in Hexham they have a marking station down here. I would love to give Barcelona a go

[Valiant Fifer]

Yes Jamie I thought I had read somewhere the NFC had changed their date for Saintes a few wks earlier. Don't know why as it was a good race for them and not too far at that time of the year, with birds in the moult etc.

 

The BBC are a great club very friendly, always have been and will take members and their birds in from anywhere.

 

Yes they always fly Bergerac or Bordeaux the last Saturday in July or first Sat in August. I'm sure the BICC also fly from Perpignan the first Sat in August. Seems a little late but not if they are in good feather.

 

Anyway you'll manage to get birds up here from Bergerac/Bordeaux it'll be a doddle for you and yer dad.

[bullcock]

While the romance of timing from 1000 miles appeals to most distance fanciers including me, should we not be getting the numbers at our longest race up and if this happened the SNFC or the SNRPC could maybe run a race getting transported with the Barcelona or whoever the same way we do with the longest race, you could still double into the Barcelona club or whoever we went with.

[peter pandy]

The Gwent Greater Distance Club in Wales started up if I remember with 15 members and now has 60+ all competing with the BICC with club training from 100 miles every Wednesday. I am sure it could be accomplished in Central Scotland with races starting at 500 miles out to 800 miles then either St Vincent or Barcelona. Going the International route would in all probability be a waste of time. But I suppose we can all dream.

[dal2]

While the romance of timing from 1000 miles appeals to most distance fanciers including me, should we not be getting the numbers at our longest race up and if this happened the SNFC or the SNRPC could maybe run a race getting transported with the Barcelona or whoever the same way we do with the longest race, you could still double into the Barcelona club or whoever we went with.

1000 mile isn't pigeon racing

[bullcock]

1000 mile isn't pigeon racing

Every pigeon that has done it has been remembered and placed in the highest regard by all the true distance fanciers, yes it's an endurance test, but that is was makes it so prestigious and the few birds that complete it are given superstar status.

[Rooster J. Cogburn]

1000 mile isn't pigeon racing

 

 

with the predators etc. around at the moment it's more of a death sentence.

 

 

Some great achievements in the past from these distances. To send to these races then you had to be a bit different,to do it now you'd be a total radge haha

 

 

 

Each to their own though, down to what the individual enjoys I suppose.

 

 

 

[We man]

The Gwent Greater Distance Club in Wales started up if I remember with 15 members and now has 60+ all competing with the BICC with club training from 100 miles every Wednesday. I am sure it could be accomplished in Central Scotland with races starting at 500 miles out to 800 miles then either St Vincent or Barcelona. Going the International route would in all probability be a waste of time. But I suppose we can all dream.

Peter,if something as you say was set up in Central Scotland which is a good idea imo

would you send?.

[We man]

with the predators etc. around at the moment it's more of a death sentence.

 

 

Some great achievements in the past from these distances. To send to these races then you had to be a bit different,to do it now you'd be a total radge haha

 

 

 

Each to their own though, down to what the individual enjoys I suppose.

How right you are ie"they had to be a bit different"i think they, like their birds had the guts olso great faith in their birds to send to these races.

[dal2]

Every pigeon that has done it has been remembered and placed in the highest regard by all the true distance fanciers, yes it's an endurance test, but that is was makes it so prestigious and the few birds that complete it are given superstar status.

It wouldn't be placed in high regard by me. How many in your loft are bred thru 1000 mile stock?,

[C WRIGHT]

it takes a speciaql doo and a special trainer imo

found this intresting

 

 

British And Irish 1,000 Milers

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

When reading recently of that great 800 miler, 'Riley's Duchess', in the British pigeon press I was full of admiration for that and all those other great and gallant pigeons who fly against the odds and conquer mile after mile into the islands of Britain and Ireland. Pigeons like the immortal 'Per Ardua' who flew single up from Gibraltar to Gillingham at a distance of 1,098 miles when only a young bird. Really, I don't think any of us has fully grasped the outstanding achievements of our thoroughbreds in such fabulous feats. The reality confirms the true blue blooded nature of the pigeons and their health. But within the heart of all there must exist a unique love of home by the pigeons involved whether its a return to a palatial structure or a back yard shed!

 

Here I have in mind those who have conquered the extreme distance from Spain into for example central Ayrshire- 1,010 miles. W. G. Davidson led the way in the 1,000 miles tests when his grizzle hen 'Faith' held the Scottish record for a time after homing in 8 days to Stevenson. Then there was Henry Mair (who I believe was three times successful recording an arrival) with 3rd position into Scotland in one of those attempts followed by outstanding performances in 1976 when the Scottish 1,000 mile club sent 138 pigeons and two made it in race time. A. Stewart of Carnoustie winning on a 236y.p.m. velocity, followed by A & A Taylor of Dundee on 155 y.p.m.velocity. Thirty three birds were recorded after the close of the race and the first Ayrshire bird verified was a Red Chequer Cock bred and raced by R & H Kennedy of Irvine to be 5th, H Mair was next in at 23rd with W. G. Davidson 33rd.

 

Of course one must recall and never forget 'Barcelona Blue': 1000 mile record breaker in 1958 (SURP 50 13315) and 'Barcelona Triumph': 1000 mile record breaker 1959 (SURP 52 2345) and of course Jim Moffatt’s '266', 1000 mile record breaker 1963 (SURP 58 ML 266) But the best of all perhaps amongst these great racing pigeons was the red chequer cock known as the 'The Conqueror'. Bred and raced by Alan Raeside, of Irvine, who covered the 1,009 miles in just over 2 days with an amazing 687y.p.m. velocity, which represents 24 m.p.h. and registering as the record holder. Alan also had a grandson of the 'Conqueror' recorded from Palamos. Magnificient pigeons!

 

And in Ireland there are the great exploits of 'Barcelona Bluebell' bred and raced by the Mairs Bros, of Ballyclare, and that gallant bird of Anthony McDonald of Coleraine,Co.Derry, who in their 1000 miles plus journeys from Barcelona crossed two waters, that is, the English Channel and the Irish sea to arrive safely at their home lofts.

 

The latter are outstanding specimens of the art and science of the sport of marathon Pigeon racing and when released with thousands of birds from the mainland of Europe those who reach the Western Isles must be outstanding representatives of the thoroughbreds of the sky because of the strong pull of the drag and the physical configurations that the pigeons have to conquer as well as the enormity of the distance.

 

Perhaps what is required for our thoroughbreds of such endurance quality is a type of Western Isles Agency to promote the development of the marathon racer. A crazy thought ? Perhaps! But I believe that the marathon challenge is due a reawakening amongst the British and Irish pigeon racing fraternity. A belief based upon the English successes from Dax (the insularity is disappearing) and it is in our nature to reach for the stars, to dream dreams that never were and say- why not?

 

 

by: Liam O Comain

[midnight_son]

Yes Jamie I thought I had read somewhere the NFC had changed their date for Saintes a few wks earlier. Don't know why as it was a good race for them and not too far at that time of the year, with birds in the moult etc.

 

The BBC are a great club very friendly, always have been and will take members and their birds in from anywhere.

 

Yes they always fly Bergerac or Bordeaux the last Saturday in July or first Sat in August. I'm sure the BICC also fly from Perpignan the first Sat in August. Seems a little late but not if they are in good feather.

 

Anyway you'll manage to get birds up here from Bergerac/Bordeaux it'll be a doddle for you and yer dad.

 

 

Not sure it'll be a doddle but we may try. Thats about as far as far as I'd want to go, I'd like to think a chance of getting them on 2nd day. Once you're talking about 4, 5, 6 days to get home the fun goes out of it - plus I have a job to go to, can't afford days and days off work waiting for pigeons. Day racing at 550 to 650miles is top priority (hence trying the extra races from Falaise and Le Mans in last couple of years), so Bordeaux would just be an optional extra, my dad is keener on the marathon stuff than me and I guess we will try the shortest International at Agen 820 miles one day in the next few years.

[peter pandy]

Peter,if something as you say was set up in Central Scotland which is a good idea imo

would you send?.

 

Brought pigeons in that have been successfull up to 750 miles flying Barcelona so given a couple of years I would definately be giving it a go. Their is also the possibility I would have a team ready next year all going well with them being Aarden's.

[bullcock]

It wouldn't be placed in high regard by me. How many in your loft are bred thru 1000 mile stock?,

I don't think I have any that could do it, are you telling me you don't rate the birds that have done it? if so I think your on your own on that thought.

I take it your not interested in distance racing then ?