301. 24 hours of canal boating

Рет қаралды 102,593

Жыл бұрын

Every year, the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) hosts the 24-hour BCN Challenge - actually 30 hours long but you have to take 6 for rest. The aim is to cover as much of the 100-mile BCN as possible, without breaking the speed limit, and accruing bonus points for reaching extra-tricky locations. This is my account of being a passenger on the 2023 Challenge.
#AD Visit ABC Leisure at www.abclg.com or call 0330 333 0590 for everything to do with canal boats.
See Part 2 at • 302. Racing to the fin...
Visit (and join!) the BCNS at www.bcnsociety.com
If you have enjoyed the video, a tip can be left via
www.ko-fi.com/davidjohns
or / cruisingthecut
For Info
Q&A: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/f-a-q/
Filming Gear: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk/gear/
Contact Me
Twitter: / cruisingthecut
Instagram: / cruisingthecut
Facebook: / cruisingthecut
Web: www.CruisingTheCut.co.uk
Theme music: "Vespers" by Topher Mohr and Alex Alena, from the KZfaq music library
#narrowboat #canal #cruisingthecut #rivers #offgrid #liveaboard

Пікірлер: 382

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

#AD Visit ABC Leisure at www.abclg.com or call 0330 333 0590 for everything to do with canal boats. Every year, the Birmingham Canal Navigations Society (BCNS) hosts the 24-hour BCN Challenge - actually 30 hours long but you have to take 6 for rest. The aim is to cover as much of the 100-mile BCN as possible, without breaking the speed limit, and accruing bonus points for reaching extra-tricky locations. This is my account of being a passenger on the 2023 Challenge. Visit (and join!) the BCNS at www.bcnsociety.com

@lars-ericpettersson9708 Жыл бұрын

A Sunday with a Movie from CruisingTheCut is the best day in the hole week.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@MissScrappy Жыл бұрын

Absolutely gorgeous photography. ❤❤

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

@2760ade Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed that, didn't want it to end. Glad there is a part two!

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Thank you. I just need to actually edit it!!

@macmcelroy6165 Жыл бұрын

bonus points for teddy bear rescue and canal clean up

@davidlasoff8261 Жыл бұрын

You should have gotten max bonus points for pulling so much detritus from around the prop!😅🎉❤

@danhoppy5517 Жыл бұрын

I love the idea of 4 mph being described as a vigorous pace!😋

@nothereorthereoranywhere Жыл бұрын

Great event. Thank you for filming and posting. Good to also see that there was only one Lock supervisor. If there were any more, it would have been a murder! ;)

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Hahaha very good

@chatchaweewong1071 Жыл бұрын

This is much better then formula 1 race! Thanks for sharing mate!

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@paulmurphy5648 Жыл бұрын

I love these video's - just a few minutes to relax in this mad world! Great cinematography and gentle, humorous commentary make these a joy to watch. Thanks Dave, very much appreciated.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Many thanks indeed

@arthuralford Жыл бұрын

I never thought I'd think a race among narrowboats would be so engaging, yet here we are. Looking forward to the thrilling conclusion!

@oceana9294 Жыл бұрын

I agree!☺

@johnlockhart5889 Жыл бұрын

My favourite part was the corvid lock supervisor, and I hope to see Teddy many more times. She deserves an easy life after being rescued from the canal, face down, no less.

@gordonchapman222 Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad this turned into a two parter. 20 plus mins is just not long enough for this Marathon coverage. Another very entertaining and enjoyable video, thanks for sharing 5⭐'s

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

More to come!

@johnrichards244 Жыл бұрын

Hello David. As always I waited early for your new video. Thank you. My daughter is making me biscuits right now as I watch

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Delicious!

@quarlow1215 Жыл бұрын

What a blast. The break neck speed of canal boat racing so mind blurring. Those pit crews must have nearly broke the soun....... nearly broke into a trot. 😂😂😂. Looked like a good time was had and that's the whole point. ❤

@sprint955st Жыл бұрын

Wait - how on Earth can there possibly be tension, excitement and even jeopardy surround essentially a car rally but with narrowboats? I was on the edge of my seat! I was breathless with anticipation! No, really! Great video David.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Haha thank you

@James_Innes Жыл бұрын

Gripping Stuff! and so was the silt.

@NathanElcoate Жыл бұрын

This is classic Cruising The Cut! Fantastic production, David! Looks a lot of fun.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Many thanks!

@MrJozza65 Жыл бұрын

Love it - it's like Le Mans, but at 4mph 🙂

@littlechris5656 Жыл бұрын

l love your videos they are always gentle and upbeat and you go greatly up in my estimation for rescuing the teddy bear. You do realise you are now her owner and belong to her! Keep up all the good work

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Haha she's still aboard Melaleuca

@SecretSquirrelFun Жыл бұрын

Just brilliant, thanks for rescuing teddy (I wouldn’t have been able to go past her either). 🐿

@davidsedlickas8222 Жыл бұрын

BCN essential dredging required. Criminal offence to throw rubbish in canals. Superb challenge with narrow boats. Well done David.

@caroleketelsen5445 Жыл бұрын

that was fun thanks for taking us along. I look forward to the next portion of the race

@timhoward7037 Жыл бұрын

What a lovely video! Nice to see the lesser travelled bits of the Birmingham network. Looking forward to part 2.

@barrycoppock Жыл бұрын

No doubt it was a cheese sandwich which you were enjoying!

@Martin-se3ij Жыл бұрын

Interesting that Birmingham has more miles of canals than Venice and not a singing gondolier in sight.

@nickpapagiorgio5056 Жыл бұрын

For Birmingham being considered more of a gritty industrial hub in the UK the canals in the center seem to be surprisingly clean! Or atleast of floating debris… of course what’s underneath is always a mystery until it gets tangled in the propeller! Lol Nonetheless loved this video David, great work as always!

@margaretbrown2568 Жыл бұрын

The thing that pulled me up short was the boat’s name. Melaleuca for a UK narrow boat, have some of our (Australian) trees been grown over there?

@simonkelley7073 Жыл бұрын

Melaleuca was named and originally owned by Australians.

@adrianheywood Жыл бұрын

Love these mini-docs David. I hope you're enjoying making them as much as I'm enjoying watching them! Thanks - again - for 'being bothered' enough to film, edit and share these with us. :)

@vacantplanet Жыл бұрын

Looks like a lovely day out. The words marathon and canals in the same sentence made me smile

@spikespa5208 Жыл бұрын

"Canal boating" and "competition" do seem to be at odds. But if it helps the canals, cool.

@helenedansereau9255 Жыл бұрын

Great fun to watch and beautiful filming. Looking forward to the second part! So wish I was there!

@hughwilson2219 Жыл бұрын

Telford was a strong advocate for the use of bricks in construction. He believed that bricks were a reliable and durable building material that could be used to create structures that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing. He also believed that bricks were a more environmentally friendly building material than other materials, such as stone or timber. In his book Life of Thomas Telford, John Rickman quotes Telford as saying: "Bricks are the most durable of all building materials; they are not liable to decay, even when exposed to the weather, and they are easily repaired. They are also a very economical material, and they can be used to create buildings that are both elegant and functional." Telford's opinion of bricks was based on his own experience as an engineer. He had seen the benefits of using bricks in construction firsthand, and he was confident that they were the best building material for many applications.

@Simon_Nonymous Жыл бұрын

Well thank you for posting that - I wanted to know! May I suggest this is pinned please David if it's appropriate and not too much bother?

@20ironmen 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the answer, it was killing me... 😅

@eekee6034 Жыл бұрын

You'll want a racing spoiler for narrowboats on that challenge: a tarpaulin over the well deck so you can fill locks fast without flooding it. ;) Perhaps a cratch cover would work just as well.

@AlisonAZ Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the exciting footage. I watch formula one as well.

@smilysun8358 Жыл бұрын

Thank you, that was very enjoyable. That must have been a lot of work to compose that into a video, but it all looks so effortless, with your commentary as usual gracious, witty, to the point and easy flowing. Loved how you wove the map into it, always helpful.

@davidjones6470 Жыл бұрын

Nice one David, very enjoyable as always

@sodorflubbs5000 Жыл бұрын

Watching you go underneath the roads brought back memories, as my family have travelled that part of the canals of Birmingham. I found the noise very strange, as it was hard to believe there was traffics above me.

@Boating_David Жыл бұрын

That was a wonderful watch, its like a faster Silver Propeller Challenge 😂 I followed along with my Nicholsons open, matching map locations to the pictures for my trip to Brum this year

@juliehaddock3736 Жыл бұрын

Such a nice surprise to see another great video!😀 Looks like great fun and wonderful people! Enjoyed this very much!🤗 Thank you🐱

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it 😀

@PocketTalk916 Жыл бұрын

Great humor David and a wonderful challenge! Lane and Larry in California

@Martyn2021 Жыл бұрын

Its kind of recreating what the Old flying boats used to do. What wonderful idea trying to make sure that the canal network is used even the less well-known areas. I hope in the next video we find out what happed to the Ted you fish out of the canal I know you said you it was drying off. But in all seriousness it looked a amazing thing to take part in

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Ted went off with the crew of Melaleuca

@simonkelley7073 Жыл бұрын

@@CruisingTheCut Ted is hanging out with Barney, and will be boat hopping with him, or separately, in next year's challenge.

@brumsgrub8633 Жыл бұрын

Lovely video to watch. The canals in Birmingham are fantastic. We are so lucky that they have been embarased by everybody

@olpepaw4747 Жыл бұрын

It's good to see you on the water again!! ...Nothing relaxes me more than watching your videos of your canal adventures! God bless🙏✝️😁

@Sushi2735 7 ай бұрын

That Thumbnail of the boat, Swan, and guys is suitable for framing ❤

@NealR2000 Жыл бұрын

I love these BCN videos. I grew up there and live many thousands of miles away. I must say the whole area does seem a lot nicer and safer than the 1960s/1970s. Thd BCN in those days was full of junk.

@charlesbaran1106 Жыл бұрын

That was an interesting bit about the disused little stub leading to a former canal shipper. Just like an abandoned railway spur. Looking forward to Part 2.

@tintedsnowman Жыл бұрын

Really enjoyed the video , thank you! !!

@joeshepley151 Жыл бұрын

Excellent commentary. Fun and enjoyable Video. Thanks.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Much appreciated!

@MINKIN2 Жыл бұрын

Cannonboat Run

@trep53 Жыл бұрын

Who knew, a narrow boat canal race! Great blend of navigation, planning, boat prep and team work. David’s great coverage of this race highlights the wonderful drama.

@crystaledelmann Жыл бұрын

Oh what a fun adventure! Wonderful idea for a canal boat challenge!

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

It really is!

@christineprice5463 Жыл бұрын

Sunday has been cheerful due to your video! Looking forward to seeing your next one.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Yay, thank you!

@andyrbush Жыл бұрын

That swapping boats plan looked a real headache of organization. Great to see all the boats, looking forward now to episode two.

@oceana9294 Жыл бұрын

Enjoying the race. You were fortunate to have such a beautiful day to share the trials, triumphs and fun. I'm looking forward to the conclusion!

@laurahenshaw3590 10 ай бұрын

It's so frantic! And such a tranquil form of transportation - I love it! Who knew narrowboating could be so stressful 😂

@sidneybowerman558 Жыл бұрын

What did Thomas Telford think of the bricks. As they didn't find the clue.....was the answer nothing I wonder. PS. I felt so at home with this video David.

@keykeypr8292 Жыл бұрын

Really appreciated the maps showing where you were at various points in time. That is a tangled network of locks! Looking forward to the remainder of the challenge. Cheers!

@randyw2539 Жыл бұрын

Finally had a chunk of time to devote to watching without interruption. Well worth the wait. It's amazing how green cites are in the U.K.. Several times it looked so rural. Despite all the running aground, it seems like a fun time was being had by all. My, that was an awful mess to get from the propeller! And, yay! Rescuing a drowning teddy bear was a nice gesture. Looking forward to the second part.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Coming very soon!

@pilpelet100 Жыл бұрын

That was great. Thanks for posting. I'm looking forward to Part 2!!

@timothybearne147 Жыл бұрын

That was fascinating, I hope it does indeed lead to increased dredging, and I’m looking forward to Episode 2. But why aren’t the Birmingham & Warwick Junction Canal and Bradley Arm included I wonder, as I always considered them part of the BCN.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Ah, that's almost certainly my mistake in not colouring them in. Sorry 🙄

@secretsymphony Жыл бұрын

What a great idea! it often saddens me that the city waterways are neglected. Although not conventionally pretty in many stretches, they are interesting and atmospheric. I hate the idea of them becoming unnavigable. I wish there were city-wide water taxis for the public. Enjoyable video, thanks.

@gailsouthwick Жыл бұрын

David, we always enjoy your videos. Today's inspired this question: When the canal trust gets around to maintaining/dredging, how do they remove the silt without damaging the clay and causing leaks? Do you know what process they use? You have show some diggers but..well, inquiring minds want to know. Thanks for continuing to do a wonderful job and sharing with us.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Hi, see my recent video about dredging!

@metrickarma Жыл бұрын

Always love your videos, this is truly a great one!!! Thank you for all your efforts, Sir.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

You are very welcome

@victorfebo2968 11 ай бұрын

Beautifully trip full of adventures! Thank you for sharing!

@CruisingTheCut 11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@malcolmrichardson3881 Жыл бұрын

What an amazing canal network, though parts clearly require some serious dredging. Thank you for a most enjoyable video. Looking forward to the next instalment.

@t1n4444 Жыл бұрын

I suggest the CRT have other, more pressing, instances of silting up on their system. It might be considered a bit of chicken and egg situation in that if boaters don't use those lengths of canal because they aren't dredged, or, those lengths are infrequently travelled so why bother to dredge? Some boaters might suggest that keeping the Ashby dredged would be a much better use of resources. The Ashby doesn't have any locks and that might be why, I speculate of course, there is no flushing effect from lock operations. Some might argue too that the Ashby is a huge silt trap. The erosion of the non piled stretches contributing towards the problem year after year. Wash from boats both eroding the banks and helping to distribute thousands of tons of silt throughout. Judging by the run offs being barely above the designed water level (to match the Coventry) then the lack of depth has (?) to be the result of the bed of the canal rising up through the water column. There again it might be the Ashby was never a deep canal anyway, which might be considered strange given the traffic it was designed for, as in moving coal from the Moira and Measham coal fields towards London. There again we might discover that having lock flushing means the silt is moved to long stretches which are lock free and those long pounds then become settling ponds. Cue response from CRT spokespersons.

@sSteppingStones Жыл бұрын

Narrowboat race 😂😂😂 😜👍

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Definitely not a race 🤣

@wmwho Жыл бұрын

The motorway over a canal, over another canal and railway is incredible. It is just amazing how much can be crammed into so little space. Great video!

@roboftherock Жыл бұрын

Prior to your explanation of the white section of the Black Country flag, I thought it represented the approach and entrance to a canal lock. A day of flags, fun and frustration.

@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian Жыл бұрын

Is there an extra bonus point for eating a chip butty whilst towing a butty? 🥴 As always such an excellent video. Looking forward to part 2. 👏👏👍😎

@smitm108 Жыл бұрын

Delightful ….

@01cthompson Жыл бұрын

On the edge of my seat watching this race. 😃

@fmcb269 10 ай бұрын

Greetings from your newest subscriber! (Re-subscriber) I had forgotten just how good your videos are. Thoroughly enjoyed wandering those assorted canals with you and your friends, and seeing the familiar wildlife along the way.

@okbanlon Жыл бұрын

What an adventure! It's a lot of fun to watch you solve all the problems thrown at you in a challenge like this!

@umbertoyltp Жыл бұрын

I always appreciate location maps for orientation, thank you. ❤

@charlesroberts6965 Жыл бұрын

Your video made my day..always find it calming gingerly going down the canals...Appreciate you sharing your adventure;) Truly beautiful day to enjoy.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

@OhioticketswithRobert Жыл бұрын

Very pleasant to watch but shocking about the condition of the canals with the silt and garbage.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

The silt was most annoying

@freesaxon6835 Жыл бұрын

Local wags sell discounted spray cans in a wonderful array of colours. A huge supply of scrap steel is to be had in the form of old bike frames, and shopping trolleys

@simonwalker8300 Жыл бұрын

That was very interesting. It's a shame that these branches can't be desilted too, but at what cost. Great to see old England in the sunshine. looking forward to Pt 2.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Part 2 is now online!

@RobMartin1ds Жыл бұрын

looking forward to the next one. Looks like fun :-)

@mikem201 Жыл бұрын

Highly entertaining stuff, looking forward to part 2!

@grenvillephillips6998 Жыл бұрын

It seems like a rather good way to survey the condition and navigability if the network!

@wendybrealey8368 Жыл бұрын

I’m kind of surprised they don’t cut some bits out of the challenge due to known silt/water issues rather than encouraging a flotilla of stuck boats? What happens if you just can’t get free? Looks like some lovely green relaxing stretches though and fun for you to hop about boats and for us armchair viewers to enjoy the ride 😁

@OzbeachAndy Жыл бұрын

Being an old expat of Birmingham it was so nice to see you cruise along many of the canals I used to go fishing in when I was a young boy. This footage looked amazing in 4k. Thanks for posting. Most enjoyable. Cheers 🍷🍷👍👍

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it

@Kulla1berg 11 ай бұрын

Excellent blog It was very educational and entertaining to watch it

@Renovator26 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant! Gorgeous weather for such an adventure. John, Ontario, Canada.

@perreyalsdam7994 Жыл бұрын

Great video yet again. I knew about 24 hours of leMans, 24 hours of Nürburgring and now 24 hour on Birmingham Canals. Looking forward to the next one.

@lesbendo6363 Жыл бұрын

The ups and downs of canal boating! 😂 🇨🇦

@markattardo Жыл бұрын

That was quite an adventure!!

@vadmal5210 Жыл бұрын

Lots of activities around the cut. Thank you to share them

@simonsallen Жыл бұрын

I saw the sandwich. I need to be reassured it was a cheese sandwich.

@MrBblhed Жыл бұрын

Looks like you had an amazing time on the canals. Remember life is all the things that happen after you make plans. Still I'm glad it all worked out for you and turned into a lot of fun. At least it looks like you had a lot of fun.

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

I did!

@cbhlde Жыл бұрын

What at rush; wasn't prepared for that! Just great, thanks! ;)

@CruisingTheCut Жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

@jacquesvandenberg1873 Жыл бұрын

So interesting and entertaining 😊

@tonybirdwell2624 Жыл бұрын

In my younger days, LOL, I was involved in several Road Rallies. And they were a lot of fun. Doing the same on the water I think would be even more fun.

@srice6231 Жыл бұрын

That was really fun to watch!

@leedavies3629 Жыл бұрын

Nice one Dave 🙂🎥🎤✌️

@caniacstevehenderson7115 Жыл бұрын

Very good...like this alot 😊😊😊😊😊

@petesheppard1709 9 ай бұрын

I was really struck in this video with the contrast between the modern urban construction and the old, traditional look of the narrowboats. With the shallowness of the canals and the ensuing issues, I could see where a set of chest waders could be useful.

@CruisingTheCut 9 ай бұрын

Definitely