Roark Posted November 23, 2002 Share Posted November 23, 2002 Just off the phone to John Beatty, one of the organizers of the Snowman Challenge, strongman competition, now in its fourth year. The next event will be in central Illinois, in Urbana, and will be Jan 4, 2003. At this time, I am working with John to have two Inch bells (152/172) and a Millennium bell there for a demonstration by the strongmen following the regular competition. In addition to John, it is likely Tony Scrivens and Brian Schoonveld will be present. May also have the bells on display at my friend's gym when the move is complete. So, keep this in mind if you are within driving distance. I'll post more details as I have them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 Joe did you buy one of the Wood's MDB's or are you just having a long term loan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 24, 2002 Author Share Posted November 24, 2002 Steve, Neither. I traded Kim some older weights for one of the MBs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 Thats still very cool. With just the seven original design bells out there I know all the owners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 24, 2002 Author Share Posted November 24, 2002 Three are in America, and the other four in England or Great Britain? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 That will be fairly close also.We'll make one of the 'INCH shows'or the other. The Millenium?With Big Tony and Schoonie there....it might go?Maybe let the PROS take a crack at the Millenium BEFORE the contest..although the INCH 172 was EZ enough for Tony after a tough day the Millenium looks like an entirely different beast(Josh would like to take a shot at it too). I don't think the other 'lads'out there in the world- that are hopeing to lift the MILLENIUM- are planning on doing it after a full blown blood and uts strongman contest?Infact they'll probably carefully make an attempt after 5 to 8 days of no lifting or grip work at all? Also IF John(promoter) is able to say the dumbells are ther it SHOULD help his meet pick up more participants or at least guys wanting to 'take a shot'at the INCH...marketing...marketing..marketing.... I don't know him- but doesn't John have a heck of a grip too?He's one of the smaller pros in strongman also. Sounds like fun for all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 24, 2002 Author Share Posted November 24, 2002 John is coming to visit next Wednesday to test the terrible trio. He had indicated the bells would be on the agenda following the contest- while the judges calculate results; it's his call, but I'll mention what you outlined, Tom, because it does seem a fresh attempt is best, but whatever they decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 As big and strong as those guys are(and as strong as Tony and Schoonies hands are) i would think the best chance of one of them-any of them- getting the Millenium up will be IF they are fresh. These contests are generally very exhausting on the body(and hands)of course....I remember arfter "Survival of the Strongest'in particular(8 events in one day)and after other contests...some of the 'lesser' contestants could barely close there hands.Of course the guys are in much better condition than they were then but still.....not a good time to be lifting the Millenium. You might mention to John that the feat of really breaking to ground and elevating the Millenium,or perhaps someone even deadlifting it??:WILL BE A HISTORICAL EVENT...."which will add to the rich history of your contest for decades to come".....or,well something like that.....LOL.Perhaps this would help him with his decision. If a promoter put a good spin on the dumbells being at the contest(just the three of them being at the same place at the same time is something!!??)they could really get some marketing mileage out of it -PLUS it WILL be a legitimate historical milestone...IF somebody succeeds! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 24, 2002 Author Share Posted November 24, 2002 John said last year's event drew about 150 spectators and that he estimated perhaps another 50 or so could have been accomodated. Illinois, January, event is inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted November 24, 2002 Share Posted November 24, 2002 Don't forget that the Inch is liftable... Re the other question. As before the owners are as follows. 1) me x 1 2) Alan Radley (co-creator) x 1 plus the special 3) Ergul Salih (robbing sob - long story but he did pay for the bell) x 1 4) Wag Bennett x 1 5) Joe x 1 6) Kim Wood x 2 Total 7 plus special Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Harlan Jacobs Posted November 25, 2002 Share Posted November 25, 2002 I may be wrong, But hasn't Schoonie lifted the inch before at a contest ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 26, 2002 Share Posted November 26, 2002 I understand that he lifted it at the Arnold Classic when it was on display at the Cardillo belt exhibit in 2001?weren't they giving out $100 a pop...until a bunch of big guys(mostly strongmen)picked it up? Did he also do it in Boston 2002 at that booth where Tony DEADLIFTED it? Did schooveld again get it off the ground at the Arnold 2002?The one where Pfister 'continentaled' it(the Inch)and push pressed it and Big Mark Henry pulled it the 'highest'...but wasn't schoonie up there on stage too? Harlan, What about yourself?Why don't you give it a go?John Beatty's show isn't that far from indiana ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted November 26, 2002 Author Share Posted November 26, 2002 Please keep in mind that I am not in charge of events sequence, OR, who is allowed to try to lift the bell at the Snowman Challenge- those decisions are up to the promoters, and they will have liabilty issues to deal with. John will stop by on Wednesday, and I'll talk to him about whether non-competitors will have a chance at the bells. Probably a better chance will be when the bells are at my friends gym in January if all goes well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom of Iowa2 Posted November 26, 2002 Share Posted November 26, 2002 Sure..I understand.There are -as i fully understand-some liability issues.If we can't do it at the strongman show we'll wait around till we can get a shot at them...some other time...any other time....the longer I wait the better my chances are.LOL. Even if we can't use the bells-or try to use them?- I wanted him to know that people ARE interested in the dumbells..perhaps more than he knows Again...I fully understand that it IS entirely up to the promoter and I respect that aspect of 'show biz'entirely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Harlan Jacobs Posted November 26, 2002 Share Posted November 26, 2002 Has Odd Haugen ever tried the Inch Bell ? I would bet he could also lift it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beatty Posted December 1, 2002 Share Posted December 1, 2002 To all interested in giving the Bells a boost. I've moved the Bells to the start of the show. Non-competitors will be able to take a shot at them. After signing the waiver & paying a small fee. this will go to whoever boosts the Millennium, or split between those who give the larger Inch a ride. Probably $5 or $10 per person, figure if we get 10-15 guys to do it, It'll be worth it to see the Millennium go for a ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted December 1, 2002 Author Share Posted December 1, 2002 Well there you have it! A manicure would be nice before you put your ugly paws on the bells, but is not required! Bring your camera and get a photo. This will be a fun day! Though the MB has been tried a few times in public in England, none of the three American-side bells has been offered in such a venue, so this will be a first, and MAY prove to be the occasion on which the bell airs out its underside. The Terrible Trio will be there- perhaps the 152 is within your grasp? We will know 34 days from now :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Harlan Jacobs Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 I seen Schoonie is not going to compete, But is coming to the contest just to give the Millenium a shot. I bet it goes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted December 2, 2002 Author Share Posted December 2, 2002 Harlan, Will you be attending? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGuy Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 I will be surprised if anyone lifts the millenium bell. After all even the King of thickbar Chris James has so far not been able to do so. There again I would like to see Chris or Mobsterone be the first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted December 2, 2002 Author Share Posted December 2, 2002 Anyone wanting to be first had better hurry! Apparently, Brian Schoonveld is confident he will deadlift the MB. We shall see. Can it be that Urbana, Illinois will have a place in ironhistory because of this event, and that a great feat in strength history will kick-off 2003? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnimalCage Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 Is the event to be held at T.K. Wendl's? Thanks, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted December 2, 2002 Author Share Posted December 2, 2002 Yes, that's the place, AnimalCage. I'll post the address soon. John and Travis came to my house at noon today and tried a hand at lifting the bells. They both easily deadlifted the 150 pound, revolving, shot- loaded bell with a 1-7/8" stainless steel handle. The Inch twins were another matter. John, on his inaugural try, got the 152 about six inches or so off the floor before it rebelled and repelled. His other attempts were not as successful, though he did clear the floor with it again. Travis was not able to get the 152 to abandon Mother Earth today. The 172 was next, just for fun, and they both agreed that the 172 feels heavier than the extra twenty pounds would indicate (when they used both hands to test it). Both men were surprised at the inclination of the solid bells to rotate. The MB, at another 60 lbs, fell asleep on us because it knew it would not be disturbed. John feels confident that Brian Schoonveld will be able to one hand deadlift the bell. Frankly, I hope he is correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 It will awaken only at the touch of King Mobbie (I hope) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Beatty Posted December 2, 2002 Share Posted December 2, 2002 Thanks Joe, for the shot at the Bells. Unbelievable how hard they are. I'll train thick handles for the next month & hopefully the 172 will see six inches of air. Very cool to give them a try. To all who've never seen a Millennium- it's HUGE! Even with two hands it was heavy. The best I got out of it was to make it slide on the floor as it rolled out of my hand laughing at me. Tried to one arm press the smaller Inch. got it about 2/3's up (two hands clean). It just rolls on you & you can't stop it. Anyone close should come down & see history being made. I truly believe Schoonie will do what he says & give the Millennium some air time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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