Limo to Work Day

Things have changed since I organized Carbondale's first Bike 2 Work Day in 2002. Back then, there was a spirit of esprit d'corps between me and Carbondale Times' then-editor Tom Riechman, who used to ride from Makanda to Carbondale every day to work at the Thomas Publishing offices across the street from where I write this blog. As it turned out Tom and his wife Mary won a trophy for the longest distance traveled.

In those days, I rode to work myself every day, doing the last stretch coasting no-handed down Elm St. . . . past the back entrance to the Paul Simon Federal Building on my way to the old Carbondale Greyhound ticket office, next door to The Bike Surgeon. No helmet, either -- although there was a time I could have used one.

Not any more, though. Since I no longer write tickets for Greyhound, I have become Mr. Sartorial -- driving a Lincoln Town Car three days a week for the Blue Star Lines limousine company, and working in the office of the Art Lovers Trading Company, entering the inventory into the computer, and developing the gallery's new Ebay store.

So I've been thinking. . . . Next year, I may relinquish my bike to work campaign for something more fitting to my new employment and mode of travel: Limo to Work Day!

Here's how it would work: One day per year, participating Carbondale residents and businesses will be picked up and driven to work in a stretch limo. It will mean riding with others, but it should be fun . . . with orange juice and coffee and donuts for the riders. I have joked about it before in this blog, but this time I am serious about joking about it. . . . or simply serious.

Wouldn't it be a fun way to ride to work? The limo company would get publicity, and the lucky riders would feel special. And Carbondale would be the only city in the WORLD to have a Limo to Work Day. . . . Why not?

I'll tell you why not: Because many (most) people won't want to climb into the back of a limousine with a group of strangers, or worse -- with someone you don't like . . . unless there was a strong inducement -- like having some famous person that everyone likes along for the ride. Someone like Carbondale Chamber of Commerce director and former Saluki football quarterback, Joel Sambursky. Perhaps he'll catch this pass and run with it -- or drive it down the field.