BCN Challenge 2023

[Captain Pegg]

21 hours ago, David Mack said:

Does anyone know of a suitable tracking app (preferably free and available in android and ios versions) which participants could use to track their progress, and the organisers (or perhaps anyone else as well) would be able to see the progress of all the participants? 

I have debated this possibility with @Rob-M in the past. It would not suit everyone though so perhaps not something to make compulsory but I think it would be fun.

 

21 hours ago, agg221 said:

We were discussing this en-route. Need to talk to @Richard Fairhurst

 

The past two years the finish has been pretty central - no more than a few hours to head off the BCN via whichever direction. I know this year we and Ferrous had to head off and last year there were at least three boats which did. I think it may be an important factor to have somewhere of that nature now that the aim is to get to the finish (if you go back far enough, it wasn't, but it is probably better this way). Pelsall for example is a nice location but I suspect you would lose a few competitors that way.

 

Alec

Agreed, and I think to take the finish to the societies and folks who look after and care for parts of the BCN is a good thing. Although Longwood fits that criteria.

 

Edited June 5, 2023 by Captain Pegg

[Rob-M]

I did start playing with a web page where each boat would simply click a submit location button each time they got to a junction and positions of each boat was shown on a map but I never got time to fully work on it.

 

There is also the photos and questions that need to be submitted as well so not just about tracking location.

 

I was chatting to someone from Withymoor Island in the pub and they would be happy to host again.

[agg221]

40 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

I have debated this possibility with @Rob-M in the past. It would suit everyone though so perhaps not something to make compulsory but I think it would be fun.

 

Agreed, and I think to take the finish to the societies and folks who look after and care for parts of the BCN is a good thing. Although Longwood fits that criteria.

Longwood would have been particularly challenging this year.

 

I wondered about Titford Pools (except we can't actually get in there) or do the BCNS still have the pump house at the top of the locks? Or Smethwick Pump House?

 

Alec

[Captain Pegg]

53 minutes ago, agg221 said:

Longwood would have been particularly challenging this year.

 

I wondered about Titford Pools (except we can't actually get in there) or do the BCNS still have the pump house at the top of the locks? Or Smethwick Pump House?

 

Alec

Titford pumphouse is the BCNS HQ. It was the finishing location in both 2017 and 2018.

[Francis Herne]

Smethwick pumping station would be interesting, giving the option to arrive on either level. There are rings on both with steps in between.

 

Anyone know if there's space in the building (now museum) for the reception and beer, or if it's available for such use? Might be space to pitch a couple of bays of the BCNS marquee outside.

 

Urban Moorings at Horseley Fields have a clubhouse and a reasonably accessible location, but not much room for visiting boats with no suitable towpath nearby.

 

Hawne similar, bit further out of the way but more mooring options and really cheap diesel.

 

Dudley Canal Trust at BCLM? Or if it could be arranged to raise the swing bridge, inside the museum arm would be very neat.

 

Centre of Birmingham would be great for publicity and choice of refreshments.

Edited June 4, 2023 by Francis Herne

[David Mack]

7 hours ago, Francis Herne said:

Centre of Birmingham would be great for publicity and choice of refreshments.

The 2001 Challenge finished in the centre of Birmingham. This was the view back from Fulbourne down the Main Line home straight approaching the finish.

Edited June 5, 2023 by David Mack

[Rob-M]

2019 also finished in Birmingham, we long lined Scorpio and Leo up Aston and Farmers Bridge with Richard Parry on board.

[Captain Pegg]

2016 finished at Hawne Basin

2015 at Bradley

2013 and/or 2014 at Walsall

Before that there was a Longwood finish.

 

I wasn’t aware that there was ever a time when there was no designated finish location and that originally Gas St was the finish.

 

Central Birmingham has both advantages and disadvantages but remains a possibility.

[Rob-M]

Personally, I think the best finish locations are those that have a space where all crews can socialise together.  For me the best end locations have been Hawne Basin, Titford, Withymoor Island and Tipton. Although the pub at Tipton wasn't great as the singing was too loud to have a conversation.

[Tonka]

On 03/06/2023 at 22:51, Goliath said:

Well done

I was dead impressed with the totting up of the scores and the presentation of trophies on the day, that was a good idea. 
Whether that’d be possible with twice the amount of entrants 🤷‍♀️and the time it’d take. 

on that thought: in the past it were ok to finish anywhere and post in the results up to perhaps a week later. 
I guess this year that matter never arose because all Challengers came to Tipton (I think). But in the future could that be a problem? 
For example: the Finish Line is Tipton but one gets as far as 🤷‍♀️ Walsall 

 

 the beer was Ace!

very good. 

 

 

And to Dolly: I’m so sorry if I were a noisy neighbour with music. 
I’m sure we were noisy. 
I hang me head in shame.

Sorry. 
But hopefully not as bad as the Karaoke you suffered 😃

@Goliath There is no need to apologise about being a noisy neighbour.  Because we have a dog we did not go to the pub apart from me who went and got a takeaway from there. Your music was nice and perhaps you and your lady friend Amanda could be the entertainment at next year's finish

9 hours ago, agg221 said:

Longwood would have been particularly challenging this year.

 

I wondered about Titford Pools (except we can't actually get in there) or do the BCNS still have the pump house at the top of the locks? Or Smethwick Pump House?

 

Alec

Can I ask why Longwood would have been challenging this year. We came through as part of the challenge late Saturday night and we draw 2ft 6in

[Rob-M]

16 minutes ago, Tonka said:

Can I ask why Longwood would have been challenging this year. We came through as part of the challenge late Saturday night and we draw 2ft 6in

When we were heading that way Saturday afternoon we were told there was a problem at one of Rushall Locks and you couldn't get through so we reversed back to Newton junction and changed our plans.

[Richard Fairhurst]

11 hours ago, agg221 said:

We were discussing this en-route. Need to talk to @Richard Fairhurst

I really need to finish off my iOS canal map app (and do an Android port)! A live tracking feature wouldn't be too hard to implement and would be a lot of fun for events like the Challenge. Remind me.

[Tonka]

As a new entrant to this event we found it very enjoyable. It was well run and thoroughly good fun at the finish. Not sure what the idiosyncrasies @Captain Pegg was referring to in his post. 

A couple of the rules need greater clarification. Firstly you get "A bonus of 15 points will be awarded to those whose challenge ends at the designated finish before 2.00pm" but surely there is a time that it comes into affect I.e 1.00 pm or could you go straight from the start to the finish and get the 15points. 

Secondly with regard to walkers , now I assume that it is to do with paired boats but as we have a dog at some points the wife got off and walked with the dog. Could we have recorded this as walked and got bonus points?

All in all it was a fun weekend and one which we had taken part in earlier then we did.

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

Yes it was fun. 
 

I do like the idea of a finish in the Black Country Museum, that’s definitely a bit  of the canal I’ve never took my boat. 

Would it mean no fees need paying paid to CRT ?

otherwise I generally like the idea of finishes where boats don’t usually gather. I think it’s good to remind locals we exist. 
 

regards completing digital records or paper records I’m a supporter of paper and pen everytime. For fun we produced a sketch this year in place of a photo. 
But hey, I’ll go with the flow. 

It’s always enjoyable, so long may it continue. 

[Laurie Booth]

4 hours ago, Rob-M said:

Personally, I think the best finish locations are those that have a space where all crews can socialise together.  For me the best end locations have been Hawne Basin, Titford, Withymoor Island and Tipton. Although the pub at Tipton wasn't great as the singing was too loud to have a conversation.

Brownhills would be a good finishing point.

1 hour ago, Goliath said:

Yes it was fun. 
 

I do like the idea of a finish in the Black Country Museum, that’s definitely a bit  of the canal I’ve never took my boat. 

Would it mean no fees need paying paid to CRT ?

otherwise I generally like the idea of finishes where boats don’t usually gather. I think it’s good to remind locals we exist. 
 

regards completing digital records or paper records I’m a supporter of paper and pen everytime. For fun we produced a sketch this year in place of a photo. 
But hey, I’ll go with the flow. 

It’s always enjoyable, so long may it continue. 

The Black Country museum  is nothing to do with CRT.

[David Mack]

For those who weekend their boats to/from the event, start and finish locations which offer (or are close to) safe moorings to leave the boat unattended for a few days would be an advantage.

Edited June 5, 2023 by David Mack

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

8 minutes ago, Laurie Booth said:

Brownhills would be a good finishing point.

The Black Country museum  is nothing to do with CRT.

yes

 

and I know where you want the finish 😂😂

[Laurie Booth]

2 hours ago, Goliath said:

yes

 

and I know where you want the finish 😂😂

Fazeley is an obvious ending point much ignored by the organisers 

 

[Victor Vectis]

7 hours ago, Rob-M said:

Personally, I think the best finish locations are those that have a space where all crews can socialise together.  For me the best end locations have been Hawne Basin, Titford, Withymoor Island and Tipton. Although the pub at Tipton wasn't great as the singing was too loud to have a conversation.

And I was told the bars on the windows are to keep undesireables in.

😃

[StephenA]

21 hours ago, David Mack said:

Does anyone know of a suitable tracking app (preferably free and available in android and ios versions) which participants could use to track their progress, and the organisers (or perhaps anyone else as well) would be able to see the progress of all the participants? 

 

We have a half built PWA for canalplan (so no app to install and can even run on a PC)  which has the ability to share your location with "friends"  We've done some running tests on the shroppie between Drayton and Wheaton Aston, and need to add some better caching so it can run without a good internet connection - and yes I know one of the image isn't the Shroppie but that's when we put it in test mode.

Edited June 5, 2023 by StephenA

[Captain Pegg]

The point about the finishing bonus is an interesting one. The BCNS encourages boaters to take the six hour break. However it isn’t absolutely mandatory. So perhaps the bonus should only apply to those boats that take at least 6 hours break and arrive at the finish by 1400.

 

I don’t think the BCLM is a suitable finishing location. The museum is unlikely to let ordinary leisure boats gather in the arm, and what would happen after 1700ish when the museum closes? Perhaps the tug gathering has a solution to that issue.

 

The CRT moorings are generally full of other boats and I don’t think the BCNS would favour pushing them out since they are visitors to the attractions.

 

The DC&TT area is generally full of their own boats.

 

Ending at a location where boats can be left on secure moorings is a good suggestion. Start location is as convenient as it ever could be since you can start anywhere on the BCN including Fazeley Junction; a place at which the event will never finish.

[BEngo]

I know Wolverhampton Boat Club is a little bit off the BCN but their facilities might make a  beer, prizes and tall tales destination with the actual finish at Aldersley junction.

A Sunday stampede down the 21 would be interesting at the least.

 

N

 

 

[Laurie Booth]

54 minutes ago, Captain Pegg said:

The point about the finishing bonus is an interesting one. The BCNS encourages boaters to take the six hour break. However it isn’t absolutely mandatory. So perhaps the bonus should only apply to those boats that take at least 6 hours break and arrive at the finish by 1400.

 

I don’t think the BCLM is a suitable finishing location. The museum is unlikely to let ordinary leisure boats gather in the arm, and what would happen after 1700ish when the museum closes? Perhaps the tug gathering has a solution to that issue.

 

The CRT moorings are generally full of other boats and I don’t think the BCNS would favour pushing them out since they are visitors to the attractions.

 

The DC&TT area is generally full of their own boats.

 

Ending at a location where boats can be left on secure moorings is a good suggestion. Start location is as convenient as it ever could be since you can start anywhere on the BCN including Fazeley Junction; a place at which the event will never finish.

Why would it never finish at

FAZELEY 

[David Mack]

1 hour ago, StephenA said:

 

We have a half built PWA for canalplan (so no app to install and can even run on a PC)  which has the ability to share your location with "friends"  We've done some running tests on the shroppie between Drayton and Wheaton Aston, and need to add some better caching so it can run without a good internet connection - and yes I know one of the image isn't the Shroppie but that's when we put it in test mode.

Can you track multiple 'friends' at once? For the challenge it would be good to have map of the BCN with moving dots for all the participants. A bit like the Harry Potter Marauders Map, really.

[Captain Pegg]

Just now, Laurie Booth said:

Why would it never finish at

FAZELEY 

The point of the Challenge is to promote usage of the lesser used sections of the BCN so asking every boat to navigate for 25% of the available time on a canal that’s used by lots of boats every day isn’t going to achieve that aim. It would also be very limiting on where boats could get to in the 24 hours.

 

The outlying places on well used canals - Fazeley, Aldersley and Delph - are only available as starting locations.

 

I think similar applies to Wolverhampton Boat Club even though the facilities themselves would be suitable.