'Go Sober challenge' dilemma

briantrumpet

So, how should I phrase it? A friend asks me if I'll sponsor them for the "Go Sober Challenge". If it really is a challenge, should I be suggesting that their relationship with alcohol might be rather too intimate, and they'd be better off asking for professional guidance? Or if they can stop easily, should I point out that it's not really a challenge then?

veronese68

Politely decline, but offer to buy them a drink.

napoleond

I'm doing it. Because I drink FAR too much. Was suggested by my doc and my coach. Otherwise I'd just think eff it and reach for the booze.
You're right though. It's a challenge to me due to my relationship with booze. Otherwise it's not really a challenge is it?

briantrumpet

I guess that if it prompts someone to reassess their relationship with alcohol, I shouldn't grumble. But when one hears how much they are looking forward to the end of the month so that they can return to their abusive/abused friend, the last thing I am going to do is sponsor them.

pinno

ffs, don't let matth see this thread - he'll have a bloody coronary.

briantrumpet

Oh, and good for you, NapD. Sometimes a spur is needed to make a life-changing decision.

pblakeney

I had a malt whilst considering my participation.

I concluded that I couldn't be bothered participating, nor sponsoring.

tlw1

pinarello001 wrote:

ffs, don't let matth see this thread - he'll have a bloody coronary.

I have considered it and if my final assignment had been due on the 1st of November I would have honestly done it, but as its due next Friday - there is a whole load of drinking to catch up on

mulletmaster

When I get plagued weekly in work to sponsor some plump middle aged lady I barely know to waddle round 5k then a month off booze seems quite a feat in comparison.

overlord2

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

tlw1

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

It's all about the training, you can't ride 200 miles without it and you can't combine it with a skin full without it

Stevo_666

matthew h wrote:

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

It's all about the training, you can't ride 200 miles without it and you can't combine it with a skin full without it

If you did a 'Go Sober' challenge we could probably eliminate world poverty with the sponsorship money

tlw1

Stevo 666 wrote:

matthew h wrote:

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

It's all about the training, you can't ride 200 miles without it and you can't combine it with a skin full without it

If you did a 'Go Sober' challenge we could probably eliminate world poverty with the sponsorship money

What about those working in the alcohol industry who's jobs would be affected

Stevo_666

matthew h wrote:

Stevo 666 wrote:

matthew h wrote:

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

It's all about the training, you can't ride 200 miles without it and you can't combine it with a skin full without it

If you did a 'Go Sober' challenge we could probably eliminate world poverty with the sponsorship money

What about those working in the alcohol industry who's jobs would be affected

True, we don't want a spike in umployment so soon before a general election.

barrowmatt

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

I did my first century a couple of months back, after drinking 2 bottles of wine the night before.

Admittedly it was slow and painful!

napoleond

barrowmatt wrote:

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

I did my first century a couple of months back, after drinking 2 bottles of wine the night before.

Admittedly it was slow and painful!

Indeed, when it's every night its the norm. I've even had some good race results this year, funnily enough mainly in evening races...

DeVlaeminck

For the OP, why not just agree to sponsor them but ask if they'll reciprocate as you are taking part too.

ukiboy

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

Alternatively, how about just doing a 20 mile week; then you can hit your quota of ten pints a day

BelgianBeerGeek

The trick is not to mix the grape and the grain. One of the worst days of my life on a bike was due to whisky after red wine the previous evening. I thought I was going to die, and halfway through I was praying I would.

But a few drinks before a ride, or the night before? No problem.

This stoptober thing is made up by puritans. Tell 'em you're not interested. Or ask them if they would like to sponsor your drinking

bianchimoon

BelgianBeerGeek wrote:

The trick is not to mix the grape and the grain. One of the worst days of my life on a bike was due to whisky after red wine the previous evening. I thought I was going to die, and halfway through I was praying I would.

But a few drinks before a ride, or the night before? No problem.

This stoptober thing is made up by puritans. Tell 'em you're not interested. Or ask them if they would like to sponsor your drinking

Spot on if I drink beer and whiskey I'm fine next day, beer and wine .. Ouch
Moderation, enjoy, days off the booze ride as much poss life's to short to spend it worrying

type:epyt

Would you sponsor someone not to catch an STD? Likely not.

tlw1

type:epyt wrote:

Would you sponsor someone not to catch an STD? Likely not.

depends, if they were a chav and it would make them infertile - I could be doing the world a favour

pblakeney

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

You sir, require more training.

Frank the tank

briantrumpet wrote:

So, how should I phrase it? A friend asks me if I'll sponsor them for the "Go Sober Challenge". If it really is a challenge, should I be suggesting that their relationship with alcohol might be rather too intimate, and they'd be better off asking for professional guidance? Or if they can stop easily, should I point out that it's not really a challenge then?

Just sponsor him you tight git.

Frank the tank

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

I've done 200+ miles in a day on the back of several pints of real ale the evening before. Man up.

pinno

Frank the tank wrote:

overlord2 wrote:

I dont know how people can do an endurance sport and drink a lot. Last thing I want to have is a skin full of beer on the back of a week riding 200 miles.

I've done 200+ miles in a day on the back of several pints of real ale the evening before. Man up.

So that's why you are called Frank the tank - you always tank up before a ride.

briantrumpet

Hmm, not quite sure I was intending this to be a list of people's drinking exploits... but do carry on.

southdownswolf

In days of yore, didn't they used to drink wine in the TdF to "anaesthetise" themselves from the pain of a climb? Therefore, drinking a skinful the night before makes perfect sense to me.

simonhead

I got an email from someone i only sort of know doing it. It was a group email with about 30 others included so wrote the following response:

Many thanks for your request for sponsorship, so i can gauge how much i should donate could you answer the following questions:

What is your average daily consumption in units:
Why do you drink?
How long have you been on this path of self destruction?
Does your partner (if applicable) know you have a problem?
Do you drink on your own?

Would you like me to send you the details of AA?

I got the response:
F*** Off, i only drink occasionally when I am out, its for a good cause!

pblakeney

simonhead wrote:

I got the response:
F*** Off, i only drink occasionally when I am out, its for a good cause!

0/10 of effort on his part.
0/10 of contribution on your part.

Giraffoto

briantrumpet wrote:

So, how should I phrase it? A friend asks me if I'll sponsor them for the "Go Sober Challenge". If it really is a challenge, should I be suggesting that their relationship with alcohol might be rather too intimate, and they'd be better off asking for professional guidance? Or if they can stop easily, should I point out that it's not really a challenge then?

If your friend is a Muslim it's reasonable to suspect he's taking the p!$$.