302. Racing to the finish at 4mph (BCN Challenge Part 2)

[@CruisingTheCut]

#AD Visit ABC Leisure at www.abclg.com or call 0330 333 0590 for everything to do with canal boats. Welcome to the edge-of-your-seat finale of the marathon BCN Challenge 2023, where narrowboaters compete to see who can cover most of the Birmingham Canal Network in 24 hours. Part 1 can be seen at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWXInGB-iKylibc NB "Ferrous" video is at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gH22eWOeeKmcZ6M Boating in the rain featuring Rivets 5000 is at: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYuohJV6iMSirJo BCN Society can be found at: www.bcnsociety.com

[@TheoneandonlyJobis]

Just checked out ABC $2000 for a week is a steal. I think "some day" just got bumped up to within the next year or so.

[@JohnSmith-dh4gw]

Amazed how moving so slow is thrilling.

[@paisleyjane9606]

Were there bonus points for passing you around from boat to boat?

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha maybe there should have been

[@thomasstuart2936]

When will people learn that narrowboating in shopping trollies is far more difficult than it looks?

[@grahamlewis6062]

It’s the holes that’s the problem!!!🤣

[@t1n4444]

Indeed. As Dennis Thatcher used to say some difficulties are akin to "being up sh!t creek in a barbed wire canoe without a paddle". He must have had Birmingham in mind.

[@piggerald2105]

Hope he was able to claim the £1 from the trolly lock.

[@RobMartin1ds]

twas a pleasant time indeed. The rescue teddy just finished it off nicely.

[@maxboonkittypoison]

Really liked the prize of most collected rubbish. Nice video again.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you 😀

[@jeffhoward9186]

Congratulations to Teddy. He found his forever home. Awesome!!!

[@gordgooding1558]

In Sept-Oct of 2022, We hired a 60 foot boat from ABC Leisure out of King Orchard Marina. The original plan was a 3 week adventure heading up to Wales. (we live in Central Canada btw) The low water levels conspired to require more than one change of plans. One of the routes that was suggested to us was the Black Country Ring. We ended up doing that and then down towards Stratford and across to Coventry and back up Burton Marina and other places near our starting point where the boat had to be returned. The Black Country would have been a miserable Holiday for anyone on a 5-7 day hire and who was not interested in the early and recent history of the canals. Suffice it to say the locals treat it like a tip.I had a stretch where I had to stop every hour for 7 hours to unwrap car tires, 8 feet of shag carpet + underlay, enough jumpers to clothe a village and you name it from the prop. We also woke up at the bottom of the pond at the Wassal canal where we were told some of the local youths like to drain when the rare boat passes through and spends the night:-). All this to say that it was so heartbreaking to see how this ring is neglected. As Narrowboating makes a comeback post-Covid Staycationing and more an more hire firms pop us and the canals get more and more crowded, it would be a great asset for all concerned if all those miles of canal could become more appealing and spread out the demand. I don't blame the Canal and River Trust for not wasting their precious resources on a region if the locals do't see it as an asset. I think until a generation of school kids spend a wended a year, for example cleaning it up and seeing just what is in there, will there be a movement to reclaim that ring for the next generation. PS. Birmingham was lovely as was the entire trip! I would recommend ABC without reservation.

[@shirleylynch7529]

Superb. Had a smile on my face at the end. It was like watching one of those feel good movies. Most enjoyable. Thank you for taking us on this marvellous adventure.

[@garyz2043]

It was splendid indeed. I like the ones who took all the junk out of the canal for recycling, Top marks to them. : }

[@t1n4444]

It must be said that cleaning up the canals in that fashion is really more of a fun thing to do. As in it doesn't look like a chore. Perhaps it might be possible to loan a boat to the Scouts or Guides or other youth organisations and perhaps schools and have a cleaning up of the canal on a fortnight or monthly basis, spring to autumn. We see that practice with collecting plastic from a boat constructed of recycled plastic already so collecting non floating junk from a narrowboat would help the official junk collectors too. Excellent way to teach very young adults to appreciate the environment in which they are going to live.

[@LKBRICKS1993]

Great video to watch. I love the way people are picking up the rubbish helping the environment.

[@pollenhead]

My father used to say that you would learn something everyday unless you're careful. I'd never heard 'palava'. Now I know. Thanks David for educating me. Good show.

[@altepost3805]

Probably 'palaver' - in German the word for an endless discussion and/or a meaningless talking, like in English!

[@philroberts7238]

@@altepost3805 It's a 'pidgin' word that was used in in international trade from the earliest days of European expansion. From memory, it comes from the Spanish (and Portuguese too, probably) 'palabra' - their word for 'word'. Hence: talk, chat, negotiation, commotion - leading sometimes to a descriptive term for an overcomplicated procedure involving a lot of unnecessary bollocks!

[@stanleyromanowski9816]

Break-neck speeds! Precision maneuvering! A true nail-biter indeed! Great vlog!

[@RaymondCore]

Traveling to the little-used places stirs keeps them from getting clogged and stale. You sure pulled your share of weeds. Thanks for sharing, always enjoyable.

[@Ben-311]

I just couldn't bear the ending. Lovely conclusion, and a very relaxing and enjoyable video.

[@timwilkinson2797]

You got a fur point they Ben !

[@cachecow]

That was a fantastic slow speed race! I loved that you ran into all these boats/people you knew The map inset was a great addition.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bruceshaw2402]

The bridge you mentioned in your previous vlog ( date stamped 1858 I think ) is officially called Brewins Bridge, but to the locals , well , us older ones it's called the sounding bridge due to its acoustic / echo abilities.

[@pfalzgraf7527]

I love it, love it, love it, as one of my favourite wooden boat channel guys usually says! David's dry-tone story telling and an event that does take itself as seriously as it deserves - there's hardly a better match! Thanks for 20+ minutes of absolutely grand entertainment! edit: I assume Rivetts (however it is spelled) has the least problems with going aground. Good base for winning I'd wager!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Haha thank you. Yes, Rivets would float in a kitchen sink, pretty much 🤣

[@MissScrappy]

What a delightful video. And such a treat to see Ferrous. Thanks for sharing a wonderful adventure. Cheers =^··^=

[@Simon_Nonymous]

We really enjoyed Part II - thank you! The canal clean up trophy is a worthy thing, well done to the organiser(s) and participants. I used to issue the same challenge on adventure races I organised in a lovely green mountain bike forestry area. I got five bin bags full of rubbish brought back in; it was mainly sports drinks bottles left by users of the bike tracks 😞

[@curtbonnell4308]

I see that you have a lot of spray paint "artists" in the UK just like here in Canada. That looked like a lot of fun and I would hazard a guess that your sandwich at the end of Day 1 was cheese, lol. Bet you enjoyed being on a narrowboat again for a nice trip. Well done video as always David.

[@sozofam2164]

Another great video! No one can beat your style, always enjoyed!

[@CruisingTheCut]

I appreciate that!

[@Ice_Karma]

I watched this video when it came out nine days ago, but I just found out a friend of mine was aboard _Atlas_ & _Malus_ for this event!

[@troyw8338]

I believe Teddy actually looked happier at the end 😂. Hopefully he lives a long and dry life on the Canals, though we know everyone including you David has spent a little time in the canal. 😊 Great 2 part video David, thank you for bringing these canal adventures.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you

[@mikestirewalt5193]

The frenetic pace of this competition was daunting but I managed to see it through to the end. Thanks for all the excitement.

[@thejerseylady1]

Thanks for another fun time. So happy to hear that Teddy is now a permanent crew member. Gloria 🐂

[@thomastrout9997]

I am obliged to agree with several comments before mine- That WAS fun, as was finding myself rooting for your hosts as well. It does seem like the effort expended would favor skill, strength, wiles and a crew with a dash of good luck. Knackered I can imagine!

[@lockedin60]

David I never realized the challenges that narrowboats face on a daily basis (muck around your propellors). That makes a lot of sense if you think about it. People can be messy and I guess living on the Canal system is not different. A touch of humor along the way. I was surprised when you gave us a part 2 of the challenge. I had forgotten there even was a challenge.

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

What a marvellous sight to see two working boats working so well together.

[@rupertmiller9690]

Fingers steepled and doing my best Me. Burns "Excellent!" impression. Thanks, mate, much appreciated.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Excellent

[@detroitredneckdetroitredne6674]

Hello from Detroit Michigan USA thank you for taking us on your adventure

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks for watching!

[@roboftherock]

Astonishing that such a motley collection of individuals should combine to have such a fun day out.

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi, I just love narrowboats. Unfortunately they don’t not have them here in Australia. I just think that will be the way to go and live on in England. Might be a bit cool in winter but with all the coal heaters and all the rest of the stuff you got I reckon that we are very comfortable keep up the good work. I love your video Cliff from Logan city Queensland Australia 🇦🇺 from the big island 🏝️

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you! Yes, very warm in winter

[@lancecluster]

Great Video. As soon as I saw Rivets 5000, I guessed they would win, a little surprised by how much. They are sort of in a completely different class.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

I'd opine it was a 'Riveting' conclusion. It has been great fun to watch.

[@markross4730]

Riveting action! Valiant efforts all around! Stunning conclusion! Lol. Very enjoyable David. Keep 'em coming.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks, will do!

[@markwhitcher2138]

As always a great, and entertaining watch of canal boating.

[@eekee6034]

Oh I saw two scruffy young moorhens without their mother at 6am the other day. One was on the towpath, but the other was in the canal and trying to haul itself up onto the towpath with its beak! (There was a concrete edge on that stretch.) It would have been quite all right if it had stayed where it was, but no, it had to back to the nest, and so it made a valiant effort made it onto the towpath, and ran across in front of my bike. You see more wildlife at times when they're not expecting those great big humans to be lumbering about; early morning and in the rain. Moorhens are common enough up here, but their chicks aren't often seen. Well, these two videos were a whole load of fun! Thanks David! :D I find myself recognizing quite a number of the boats, even ones which haven't been featured (that I remember), and even a name or two on the trophies. I guess I've seen a lot of canal videos. When did that happen?

[@BrianJ001]

Another superb video! Really enjoyable!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Many thanks!

[@maryjnorwood3962]

Riveting, indeed! Very exciting! (Those pints looked delicious.) 😎🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@MortenHjrnevik-ti6sg]

So enjoyable David ……you dig out some fascinating events..

[@EmerickKing-j4o]

One of the best videos ❤. Take care my friend, from Ontario Canada 🇨🇦. I been watching your videos since you started your blog.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@iainrae92]

Well done David, another wonderful insight into an event that most of us never knew much about. I guess Rivets 5000 possibly won due to their size as the turns and visits to the numerous basins could be completed much faster than a full length narrowboat!!

[@andymc97]

A big Thank you david for 2 cracking vids , I really enjoyed these vids , and I hope more people compete next year , you are the king of the cut as you have been called 😂, if it wasn't for you doing vids like this only a small % of people would of known about it

[@sianwarwick633]

Great event - that's a lot of work to get round in those working narrowboats. A Great Vlog.

[@peterholmesgavleman]

At 11 minutes, both craft are being negotiated through the single with flight of locks. It reminded me of the time in the 1960s, when our family owned a 27 foot cabin cruiser, which was about 6 foot 10 wide. The previous owners had installed About 2 foot six above the waterline a 4 inch heavy rope along each side from bow to stern presumably to prevent impact damage and scratching to the sides of the boat. One weekend, we decided to head upstream from our base on the Grand Union canal at Thurmaston just outside Leicester for the first Time to see what the city look like from the canal and river Soar. In our travels, we encountered the famous Foxton flight, which, from memory has about two groups of five locks, all of which were single boat width. We duly entered from downstream, filling locks from above. In one particular lock, we noticed that even though water had been pouring in from above, we were still looking at the same row of bricks. We immediately stopped the feeling of the lock to work out what was happening. It was discovered that, the lock, whilst adequate with at low water level was actually getting narrower towards towards the top. To resolve the problem, we let water out, and our boat eventually dropped down to the lower water level. The bumper rope on the outside of the hole was actually wired to the boat with bolts visible and workable from the inside of the cabins. We then grabbed the 4 inch ropes around the whole, and placed them on the deck which made our boat narrow enough to be raised through the almost pyramid shaped lock wall. My three-year-old sister was getting quite worried before we solve the problem as she thought we were sinking and going to drown .

[@ozziepilot2899]

Thanks again David, riveting stuff. Where to next ?

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

Great stuff on a wonderfull BCN! Thank you!

[@garym518]

Hi David thanks for another pair of excellent vlogs, keep it up most enjoyable.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thanks, will do!

[@grenvillephillips6998]

Rivets was the perfect steed for the course - fleet of foot and a shallow draught!

[@Boating_David]

What splendid news about Teddy 🧸 👏

[@arthuralford]

It's within the rules, and nobody seemed to object, so leave Rivets alone! PS: That garbage haul deserves kudos for all the boats, helping to keep the canals clean

[@brookingsbeachcomber]

great follow up, a mix of everything in this competition

[@Dunkelzeitgeist]

I have never seen that rowing technique on the corners before

[@t1n4444]

A week on the waters will help you come to terms with this skill.

[@JeghedderThomas]

Teddy made it! Huzzah!

[@victorfebo2968]

I can't never get tired of watching these videos! So, relaxing and scenic! You are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful country filled with history! I envy you! In a god way, I should add! Thank you for sharing!

[@robinblackmoor8732]

Narrowboat videos are addictive. I can't figure out why. I watch a lot of the Narrowboat channels and can't get enough of them. I am not sure at all why this is not a BBC television show. This is just as good as Top Gear, and no Clarkson to have to endure!

[@henryblake3064]

LOVELY PEOPLE!!! Greetings from germany

[@larrybridgers1823]

That was pretty cool.

[@Onemattressatatime]

The horn was fitting. Another great video. I love everyone of these.

[@glencrandall7051]

That was lots of fun. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers, you too

[@johna1160]

Three traffic cones, two shopping trollies, a green recycling bin, and a partridge in a pear tree.

[@paulmurphy5648]

Thoroughly enjoy these logs, Dave. You always narrate well and keep my interest right to the last frame. A great way to relax after a stressful day - thank you

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

What a wonderful way to spend the weekend! Your usual great video David; thanks for sharing!

[@lucindawilson5510]

indeed another great video thanks david

[@markgreggs4901]

Great video, often wondered why canal boats don’t use some kind of prop guard / mesh to help prevent rubbish getting tangled Must agree not really a fair competition if Rivets was allowed to compete but all the same looks like good fun

[@CruisingTheCut]

Because the prop guard would just get immediately clogged and then there'd be no water to the prop and thus no propulsion!

[@geoffroberts4267]

Being born and brought up in the Black Country this bought back many memories of seeing the working narrow boats and yes towing the butties. Thanks..

[@chrislaarman7532]

1) Thank you for the great report on a great event, David! 2) I'm quite impressed by the skills of the crew of the working boat pair. Taking corners with even a single 72-footer must be an achievement. The idea of using something on a long stick in the propeller hatch also seems quite clever. (Would attaching a torch to that stick make sense?) - However, I have a feeling that there might be room for undiscovered improvements in using the towing rope while turning around and while mastering locks. 3) Turning in that basin reminded me of my days as an apprentice ship engineer with (Dutch) Shell Tankers in August(?) 1976 in Barton, the end of the Manchester Ship Canal. Shell had three tankers built to fit in the locks in the MSC. On arrival in Barton, we had to turn the ship around. The basin was full of leaves, quickly blocking the stream of cooling water. So I was busy in the engine room, emptying the filter basket in the inlet of one side, mounting it back, changing the active inlet, opening the filter in the inactive one, emptying the basket, etc. And ultimately cleaning the mess of decomposing leaves in the engine room.

[@flherne]

There are certainly improvements to be made - already discovered, just not yet mastered by us! The boats hadn't been out much since COVID, so everyone a bit rusty and unused to working together, and I started off almost completely new to them. Saturday morning was pretty dire but by the finish things were going more smoothly. It's possible to tow on a long line through locks, although CRT frown on it a bit because the rope puts some load on the gates; there are videos by others on KZbin. Our turning-around technique does need some work; the video skips over the worst bits!

[@bmolitor615]

I've been so waiting for this!!!!

[@cerebraltackle]

I'm so happy that you're back on a boat!

[@omvaren]

Another excellent video...picture, sound, content...I loved every minute. Thanks

[@cbhlde]

Thanks for that exciting bit of conclusion content! :)

[@CruisingTheCut]

My pleasure!

[@hectordelvalle4428]

A very interesting run David.

[@christineprice5463]

Quite a canal trip. Thanks, David

[@CruisingTheCut]

Cheers

[@annerimler]

Well done, everyone!

[@geezerindawoods]

Jolly Good both parts!!

[@TrevsTravelsByNarrowboat]

Excellent video David.

[@kuukeli]

thank you for the video

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Cool! Great teamwork! 👍 I admire your team's navigation skills and cooperation 👌 Thank you for sharing 😊

[@layalabi1667]

Lovely!! Lovely!! Thank you!!

[@holly-go-lightly]

So nice to hear the excellent commentary!

[@ukadventurecycling2740]

As u know my PTSD situation gives me severe insomnia. Thanks for uploading! It really does help to listen to. I am now going to have a bacon and egg sammich and press play. Have a snooze on the sofa. Will watch properly tomorrow.

[@CruisingTheCut]

I love a sofa snooze!

[@fixerofthings]

Another excellent video, thanks David!

[@fredmahar5431]

Well done David!!!!.....thank you and cheers !!!

[@mitchellminer9597]

So much fun. Thanks!

[@CruisingTheCut]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@freddypflugbeil6]

Thanks for giving us a good time watching Cruising the cut. From Highland falls New York

[@Renovator26]

Wow! What an energetic group of boaters. Brilliant, David. John, Ontario, Canada.

[@andreamundt]

What an enjoyable and heartwarming video! 🤭 *thx*

[@rkeith4442]

Fantastic photography, great video! 🇺🇸

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you very much!

[@cousinjack2841]

Splendid stuff! You couldn't get much more British than that, thanks David.

[@markgruenberg6277]

Hello from New Jersey, USA. Fascinating competition. Thanks for sharing. Be well and stay safe.

[@perreyalsdam7994]

Well navigated, filmed and edited.

[@angelaknisely-marpole7679]

Excellent. i seem to remember way back in the dark ages - 1970's and 80's there was the same thing but over a year.

[@mellissadalby1402]

Hi David! I do enjoy watching the canal navigation. Yes, I agree that Ferrous really is a special boat.

[@marionjohansson4235]

Great fun had by all.

[@brumsgrub8633]

Another great video

[@kenlynch6332]

If I recall corectly - RIVETS was a much smaller canal boat and probably a very favorable draft , thus not getting stuck on those areas of silt - A very enjoyable vlog series of this competition - Well done as always ⛴ ⛴ ⛴⛴⛴

[@rickkearn7100]

CTC, you're a class act old chap. As always, a magnificent job you've done, in this case presenting a truly enjoyable and excellent adventure, and in doing so capturing the spirit of the BCN Challenge. Well done! Cheers.

[@CruisingTheCut]

Thank you kindly!

[@russchapman2281]

Great videos as always,we did a lot of the BCN last year,most was very enjoyable apart from the Walsall canal.Really hard work and loads of rubbish.Would love to have a go at this challenge one year

[@caniacstevehenderson7115]

Well done sir and enjoy your week

[@jape7588]

great episode