matty40s 3768 Report post #101 Posted January 21 57 minutes ago, tree monkey said: I do wonder, I seem to be so bloody tired at the end I can hardly string a sentence together. stopping at 10.30pm and using 2/3 of your allotted rest time to consume Ardberg and giggle is not conducive to brain development or usage. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tree monkey 2574 Report post #102 Posted January 21 12 minutes ago, matty40s said: stopping at 10.30pm and using 2/3 of your allotted rest time to consume Ardberg and giggle is not conducive to brain development or usage. This is very true, fun though Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob-M 673 Report post #103 Posted January 21 Surely it's all about getting soaking wet and having a beer or two. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tree monkey 2574 Report post #104 Posted January 21 35 minutes ago, Rob-M said: Surely it's all about getting soaking wet and having a beer or two. I'm sure it didn't rain one year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rusty69 3923 Report post #105 Posted January 21 2 minutes ago, tree monkey said: I'm sure it didn't rain one year It must have been the year mrsmelly was out of the country! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBiscuits 3260 Report post #106 Posted January 22 I seem to remember something from last years thread: Are you coming out to play @Mike the Boilerman? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RLWP 1551 Report post #107 Posted January 22 (edited) On 20/01/2020 at 22:17, roland elsdon said: like the election of the pope our entry will have to wait until smoke re erupts from the mighty lister. ( hopefully less smoke than before) On that point, is your email working? Edited January 22 by RLWP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Pegg 987 Report post #108 Posted January 26 Just noticed that the second BCNS Explorer Cruise overlaps with the dates of the Challenge. They’ll be cruising from Ŵolverhampton to Titford Pumphouse on the Saturday and then Titford to Tipton on the Sunday. It might help those planning Challenge routes to know broadly what times the Explorer Cruise anticipate they will be transiting Oldbury Locks. JP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave_P 353 Report post #109 Posted February 11 It will be 3 years this year since I joined in with this as a boater, so think I'll probably throw my hat in the ring again this time. I can't remember if it's possible to see the scoring system before officially entering? Is it online somewhere or do I have to pay my fee first? Thinking about where the accumulator sections are and which canals score in both directions. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tree monkey 2574 Report post #110 Posted February 11 5 minutes ago, Dave_P said: It will be 3 years this year since I joined in with this as a boater, so think I'll probably throw my hat in the ring again this time. I can't remember if it's possible to see the scoring system before officially entering? Is it online somewhere or do I have to pay my fee first? Thinking about where the accumulator sections are and which canals score in both directions. You pays your money this years scoring system hasn't been published yet Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dave_P 353 Report post #111 Posted February 11 12 minutes ago, tree monkey said: You pays your money this years scoring system hasn't been published yet ok, but does that mean it's going to be published online or will it be only for participants? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RLWP 1551 Report post #112 Posted February 11 On 26/01/2020 at 15:29, Captain Pegg said: Just noticed that the second BCNS Explorer Cruise overlaps with the dates of the Challenge. They’ll be cruising from Ŵolverhampton to Titford Pumphouse on the Saturday and then Titford to Tipton on the Sunday. It might help those planning Challenge routes to know broadly what times the Explorer Cruise anticipate they will be transiting Oldbury Locks. JP Indeed! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tree monkey 2574 Report post #113 Posted February 11 5 minutes ago, Dave_P said: ok, but does that mean it's going to be published online or will it be only for participants? It only gets sent out to participants normally, not sure why there would ever be a need to publish generally. @RLWP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Laurie Booth 415 Report post #114 Posted February 11 4 hours ago, tree monkey said: You pays your money this years scoring system hasn't been published yet I think it would be more interesting if the scoring system was kept secret until after the event. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tree monkey 2574 Report post #115 Posted February 11 Just now, Laurie.Booth said: I think it would be more interesting if the scoring system was kept secret until after the event. But then there could be a danger (however small) you might win Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Pegg 987 Report post #116 Posted February 11 4 hours ago, Dave_P said: ok, but does that mean it's going to be published online or will it be only for participants? Last years route planner is available on the BCNS website. I’m not sure this years exists yet as I know I was the first entrant for this year but I don’t yet have the route planner. Although the scoring system gets tweaked every now and again it’s generally always been the case that Ocker Hill to Birchills and Birchills to Horseley Fields score in both directions. The bonus rated sections are weighted toward the Tame Valley, Wyrley & Essington and Walsall to encourage use of the lesser used sections. It’s mostly only short spurs and connections from the main lines that score bonuses on the southern BCN as the through routes are all well used. It’s unlikely to change fundamentally as that would defeat the objective of the event. JP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RLWP 1551 Report post #117 Posted February 11 Just now, Captain Pegg said: It’s unlikely to change fundamentally as that would defeat the objective of the event. JP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBiscuits 3260 Report post #118 Posted February 11 4 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said: Last years route planner is available on the BCNS website. I’m not sure this years exists yet as I know I was the first entrant for this year but I don’t yet have the route planner. Although the scoring system gets tweaked every now and again it’s generally always been the case that Ocker Hill to Birchills and Birchills to Horseley Fields score in both directions. The bonus rated sections are weighted toward the Tame Valley, Wyrley & Essington and Walsall to encourage use of the lesser used sections. It’s mostly only short spurs and connections from the main lines that score bonuses on the southern BCN as the through routes are all well used. It’s unlikely to change fundamentally as that would defeat the objective of the event. JP I seem to remember that you posted a whole pile of thoughts on how and why to change the scoring system last year. You correctly pointed out that my route was the highest scoring but didn't use many of the quieter backwaters. Something as simple as only scoring Walsall as part of a section would scupper my route from last year totally, and would have forced me to do at least one loop of the Curly Wurley. I fear that certain people may have been paying attention ... 3 minutes ago, RLWP said: Uh-oh! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Captain Pegg 987 Report post #119 Posted February 11 (edited) 16 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: I seem to remember that you posted a whole pile of thoughts on how and why to change the scoring system last year. You correctly pointed out that my route was the highest scoring but didn't use many of the quieter backwaters. Something as simple as only scoring Walsall as part of a section would scupper my route from last year totally, and would have forced me to do at least one loop of the Curly Wurley. I fear that certain people may have been paying attention ... Uh-oh! I’ve planned my route so I’m going to have to hope he’s bluffing. Last year was quite low scoring overall I think, although it also matters as to the length of boat and number of crew as to what the best scoring route will be. The weightings for boat length and crew size are in the 2020 information pack. JP Edited February 11 by Captain Pegg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheBiscuits 3260 Report post #120 Posted February 11 1 minute ago, Captain Pegg said: I’ve planned my route so I’m going to have to hope he’s bluffing. "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley ..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tree monkey 2574 Report post #121 Posted February 11 9 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men gang aft agley ..." Stop making excuses, we are expecting great things 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mrs Tawny Owl 107 Report post #122 Posted February 11 I (We) are in the process of updateing the scoring system for this year. Once that's done I'll publish on the BCNs website, and send to all current participants. I don;'t see any reason not to make available to everyone, it might encourage otheres to enter. Not quite sure when, most of my spare time at the moment is helping my sister with lambing and calving on her farm, I saw 3 lambs born this morning, up and feeding within 1/2 hour. very cute. It will be in plenty of time for those who've already decided their route to rethink if necessary. Sue 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
junior 497 Report post #123 Posted February 11 On 21/01/2020 at 18:54, tree monkey said: I'm sure it didn't rain one year I'm sure Matty could tell you a thing or two about rain and the BCN Challenge.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tree monkey 2574 Report post #124 Posted February 11 1 minute ago, junior said: I'm sure Matty could tell you a thing or two about rain and the BCN Challenge.. Was that the challenge when matty was forced to sleep next to the toilet by a cruel crew? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob-M 673 Report post #125 Posted February 11 3 minutes ago, tree monkey said: Was that the challenge when matty was forced to sleep next to the toilet by a cruel crew? Cruel crew, I think it was the skipper that nominated the sleeping quarters. There may have been a bit of a mutiny when it started to rain very heavily leaving Matty at the tiller. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
