Dear Santa,

I know you get lots of mail this time of year, but I wanted to add just one more letter to your load. You see, I just figured out what I really, really, really want for Christmas this year.

I was down at the local bike shop yesterday. I didn't really need anything, but just stopped in because I like hanging out there and talking with the guys. But then one of them showed me one of the 2008 Trek Madones. And at that moment, I knew exactly what I'm hoping for under the tree on Christmas morning.

Santa, I don't know if you're a cyclist or not. If you do ride bikes at the North Pole, it's probably that icebike stuff. But this bike I'm asking for, the Trek Madone 6.9 Pro, just may be the sweetest thing I've ever laid eyes on. It's got all-carbon fiber frame that looks like the fuselage of a sleek jet and weighs in at a teensy 15 lbs. I have pairs of socks that are heavier than this bike. Plus it's fitted out with Shimano Dura-Ace components and Bontrager Aeolus 5.0 carbon wheels. It's just gorgeous. But with a price tag somewhere north of $3,000 I'm looking to you here, Santa. I tapped out my bike budget for the year, oh, back in June, and the wife is saying no more big purchases until somewhere around FY12.

Anyway, the bike shop guy wandered off to help other customers and I just stayed with the Madone for a while longer, filled with longing. At closing, he came back, asked me to let go of the bike, but told me I could come back tomorrow if I wanted to spend more time with it then. Any hopes though, Santa, of your help in getting that bike out of the shop and to my house? I'm counting on you, buddy, to have that under my tree on Christmas morning.

Sincerely,

Dave