301. 24 hours of canal boating

[@CruisingTheCut]

#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]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you!

[@MissScrappy]

Absolutely gorgeous photography. ❤❤

[@CruisingTheCut]

Many thanks!

[@davidlasoff8261]

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

[@macmcelroy6165]

bonus points for teddy bear rescue and canal clean up

[@danhoppy5517]

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

[@nothereorthereoranywhere]

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]

Hahaha very good

[@2760ade]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

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

[@chatchaweewong1071]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you liked it!

[@johnlockhart5889]

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.

[@petercurrell9344]

The water from those Titford or Oldbury locks can flow downfill into Tidal Trent Severn and Mersey. But not the Thames.

[@paulmurphy5648]

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]

Many thanks indeed

[@arthuralford]

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]

I agree!☺

[@gordonchapman222]

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]

More to come!

[@quarlow1215]

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. ❤

[@johnrichards244]

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]

Delicious!

[@sprint955st]

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]

Haha thank you

[@MrJozza65]

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

[@NathanElcoate]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

Many thanks!

[@James_Innes]

Gripping Stuff! and so was the silt.

[@littlechris5656]

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]

Haha she's still aboard Melaleuca

[@davidsedlickas8222]

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

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

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

[@nickpapagiorgio5056]

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!

[@eekee6034]

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.

[@sodorflubbs5000]

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.

[@timhoward7037]

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

[@caroleketelsen5445]

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

[@vacantplanet]

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

[@spikespa5208]

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

[@randyw2539]

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]

Coming very soon!

[@Sushi2735]

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

[@Boating_David]

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

[@adrianheywood]

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. :)

[@watersrising8044]

What fun, messing around in boats!

[@Martyn2021]

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]

Ted went off with the crew of Melaleuca

[@simonkelley7073]

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

[@charlesbaran1106]

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.

[@margaretbrown2568]

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]

Melaleuca was named and originally owned by Australians.

[@AlisonAZ]

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

[@brumsgrub8633]

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

[@helenedansereau9255]

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

[@juliehaddock3736]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it 😀

[@PocketTalk916]

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

[@olpepaw4747]

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

[@crystaledelmann]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

It really is!

[@laurahenshaw3590]

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

[@smilysun8358]

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.

[@andyrbush]

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

[@secretsymphony]

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.

[@trep53]

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.

[@petesheppard1709]

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]

Definitely

[@christineprice5463]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

Yay, thank you!

[@sidneybowerman558]

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.

[@victorfebo2968]

Beautifully trip full of adventures! Thank you for sharing!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidjones6470]

Nice one David, very enjoyable as always

[@fmcb269]

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.

[@andrewdolinskiatcarpathian]

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. 👏👏👍😎

[@sparkybluefox]

David, Your videos are SO well done ! BRAVO ! sbf

[@keykeypr8292]

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!

[@OzbeachAndy]

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]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gailsouthwick]

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]

Hi, see my recent video about dredging!

[@freesaxon6835]

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

[@joeshepley151]

Excellent commentary. Fun and enjoyable Video. Thanks.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Much appreciated!

[@grenvillephillips6998]

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

[@simonwalker8300]

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]

Part 2 is now online!

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

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]

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.

[@NealR2000]

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.

[@umbertoyltp]

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

[@wmwho]

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!

[@01cthompson]

On the edge of my seat watching this race. 😃

[@oceana9294]

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!

[@tintedsnowman]

Really enjoyed the video , thank you! !!

[@charlesroberts6965]

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]

Thanks so much!

[@roboftherock]

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.

[@timothybearne147]

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]

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

[@pilpelet100]

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

[@tonybirdwell2624]

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.

[@metrickarma]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

You are very welcome

[@barrycoppock]

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

[@sjaron23]

Your videos are still addictive - good content and good narration.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😊

[@okbanlon]

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

[@perreyalsdam7994]

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.

[@cbhlde]

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

[@CruisingTheCut]

You're welcome!

[@MrBblhed]

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]

I did!

[@Renovator26]

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

[@GaryCSchade]

I do look forward to your vlogs David. Superb 👌

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks 👍

[@brookingsbeachcomber]

so different from your average video, cool comp

[@CruisingTheCut]

In what way different?

[@brookingsbeachcomber]

@@CruisingTheCut Referring to their event, compared to leisurely cruising and pit crew speed at the Locks

[@Hollaraedulioe]

Love this issue as it's really out of everyday cruising on the BCN:) That 'Spot' at the Spoon Lane Locks is growing there since 2+ years, as we already got stuck there several times, as a result we try to avoid it. Likewise up the Tittford pool. Just a week before the Challenge we had to clean the Prop twice while only going half the length (we turned at the winding hole as we only needed to moor up for the BCNS meet). Likewise John was lucky to not get stuck atop Tividale Aqueduct when dropping you of - like we did last year (stuck in silt and as usual lotsa stuff around the prop. So yes, the BCN needs more than a few inch dredging on any spot imaginable.

[@jbr496]

I love these videos. Narrowboats look to be so relaxing. if that was over here in the US, the canals would be filled with jetboats kicking up roaster tails at speed.

[@Kulla1berg]

Excellent blog It was very educational and entertaining to watch it

[@RobMartin1ds]

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

[@smitm108]

Delightful ….

[@mikem201]

Highly entertaining stuff, looking forward to part 2!

[@apollo11guy]

Excellent video and beautiful photography. I had always assumed the BCN was to be avoided, but it looks quite attractive. Nice job, looking forward to next week.

[@vadmal5210]

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

[@nbflyingfox4672]

I have to admit David, I always look forward to your vlogs. So much different from the main stream vlogs. Thanks for another great video with so much information and interesting bits. Keep safe pal...

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you like them!

[@oldsteam3618]

Good show old man. Like the map. Cheers.

[@neillambton4065]

Hi David, Great video, and a worthwhile challenge to at least try and ensure those canal stretches are not lost forever. I know the canals by their very nature are never deep, but the way some of them have been allowed to silt up is pretty scandalous, and the CRT have certainly got their work cut out. Looking forward to the follow up.

[@markattardo]

That was quite an adventure!!

[@leedavies3629]

Nice one Dave 🙂🎥🎤✌️

[@caniacstevehenderson7115]

Very good...like this alot 😊😊😊😊😊