Scott Martin

Alessandro Ballan likes cobbles. A lot.

The Italian pro excels at races on pave -- ancient roads built with slick, bone-jarring, bike-breaking cobblestones. He finished 3rd in this year's Paris-Roubaix and won the 2007 Tour of Flanders, the 2 cobbled monuments of the Spring Classics.

In homage to the stones that rock his world, Ballan reportedly has paved his driveway with cobbles imported from Belgium. How cool is that ?

Too cool. Which got me thinking: Wouldn't it be great if we mortal roadies incorporated cycling into our home decor ? Because, really, your family can't get enough of your hobby.

Check out some of my concepts, before they're stolen by Architectural Digest :

• Repair-stand coat rack. It's the first piece of furniture visitors see when they enter your castle. Make it special. Sturdy, modern construction easily holds jackets, hats, dog leashes, whatever. The handy tool tray is perfect for car keys, dry-cleaning receipts and pocket lint. Pushy solicitor won't leave ? Threaten to clamp his windpipe.

• Musette bag lunchbox. What kid wouldn't swap her clunky Sponge Bob lunchbox for a sleek CSC musette bag just like the ones the pros snatch at feed zones? Picture your tyke's delight when she unpacks a meal of GU, flat Coke and tiny, crustless, foil-wrapped ham sandwiches.

• Stairway signage. Just as each torturous switchback is numbered on the legendary Alpe d'Huez climb, so you can assign a number to each step of the staircase to your second story. Imagine the thrill of ascending ever higher as you drag your weary body to bed after a hard ride.

• Saddle seats. Replace those dorky chairs in your breakfast nook with stools topped by bicycle saddles. Fashionably minimalist, this furniture also discourages family members from lingering over Danish when work, school or chores await.

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