Sure, Garmin's new nüvi 500 series can get you from point A to point G on paved and well-lit highways, but that's not the (whole) point here. Instead, these rugged (and waterproof) navigators are geared up to take to the trails, waterways and sidewalks with one-touch transitions between driving, bicycling, boating and walking modes. The 500 includes road maps and topographic maps for the lower 48 US states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, while the 550 touts comprehensive street map coverage of the US and Canada. Both devices boast a 3.5-inch touchscreen, a removable, rechargeable battery, Garmin's "Where Am I?" feature and geocaching support to boot. As for USers, you'll find the 500 and 550 on sale in Q3 for $499.99, while those across the pond will see the nüvi 550 land this September for £299.

[Via GPSTracklog, thanks Rich]

Fat kids want cake, skinny kids abstain, right? Whatever philosophy you subscribe to, chances are you'll only see the world's fittest stopping by a Trek Stop. This curious vending machine is currently parked in Madison, Wisconsin and enables cyclists to nab spare parts (an extra tube, patch kit, water bottle, etc.) or healthy snacks while rolling by. As for installation? Prepare to get greasy.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

Sure, there's always the airbag-equipped motorcycle, but for those who prefer to power their own two wheel transporters, you're pretty much on your own. The Dutch Cycling Federation has just cranked out a study showing that some 60 lives could be saved each year (though we're not sure if that's worldwide or region-specific) if airbags were installed on the hoods of vehicles. These external safety devices could also slash serious cycling injuries by 1,500 a year, and while you're likely passing this off as completely infeasible, Sweden's own Autoliv has already developed a bag that "inflates from the bottom of the windscreen." Of course, these timid cyclists could just wait until 2010 and strap on a wearable airbag of their own, but where's the fun in that?

[Via Autoblog]

The next time you're heading down the highway, Easy Rider-style, looking for adventure and what-not, you may also want to remain in touch with the less rebellious and not-so-tattooed outside world. Luckily, the good folks at Parrot have come to your aid with the SK 4000 -- a Bluetooth headset meant for use with motorcycle helmets -- which features voice recognition, an FM RDS stereo, text to speech, A2DP support, 10 hours of battery life (600 on standby), and a handlebar-mounted RF remote control. Sure, you'll have to use The Man's money to get one, but once you do, you'll be free to wave your freak-flag wherever and whenever you choose... as long as you get permission from your wife. Available before the end of the year, €199 (or around $282).

[Via Daily Motorcycle News]

If the Wii has taught us anything, it's that competitive games don't have to be played from the comfort of a couch. Germany's Daum Electronics, a company that makes an exercise bike with a difference -- the Ergo Bike Premium 8i -- has certainly realized this. Its Ergo Bike is kitted up with a screen, camera, speakers and microphones, and the array of usual sensors: its most important asset, however, is an internet connection. This enables riders from different countries and continents to race (and sweat) with each other, or team up together to beat a simulated race. It's kind of an expensive hobby though, riding in at $3,500 a unit. Another firm called Expresso Fitness has a bike with an entirely unique 3D environment (pictured), and an entirely higher price tag no doubt.

If you've been riding your bike around town, yet finding yourself completely stupefied when you need to make directional decisions, perhaps you need to check into Garmin's latest cycle-friendly GPS boxes -- the Edge 605 and 705. The latter -- which is the company's higher-end bike-mountable unit -- comes crammed with a slew of features aimed at cycling enthusiasts hoping to get more out of their workout, including automatic speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb, and descent tracking, plus the ability to review the recorded data. The 705 also has an array of add-ons that further assist the obsessed dedicated rider to suss out his or her performance levels, including a heart rate monitor and a speed / cadence sensor. The lower-priced Edge 605 takes a slightly less hardcore approach, though still delivers on skill-testing functions like "Virtual Partner," which allows you to "race" a ghost-competitor over a specified distance and speed, and "Courses," which lets you make a rival out of yourself by clocking your performance against a previously recorded run. Both devices will make an appearance in December, with the 705 ranging in price from $499.99 to $649.99 (depending on the configuration) and the 605 will be $399.99.

Polar, a company best known for its sports-related technology, has created a new on-board computer for cyclists hoping to improve their game, called the CS600. Supposedly developed with the help of six different teams that competed in last year's Tour de France, the advanced little monitor tracks your heart's performance (like if it's beating and how fast), bike speed, and altitude -- but that's just the start. All the data to the handlebar-mounted device is sent wirelessly over Polar's 2.4GHz W.I.N.D. technology (which we think might just be code for regular old WiFi), so you won't be worrying about pesky wires while you're speeding past all the bozos who didn't get one of these to train with.

[Via Crave]

Looks like SDI Technologies is about to extend its iHome line of iPod accessories into heretofore unexplored territory, with the company set to announce this bicycle sound system at CES in January. There's not a whole lot of details to report at the moment, but the device (assigned the iH85 designation in SDI's naming scheme) is apparently water-resistant and, from the pics, appears to provide some protection for your precious iPod, as well what may or may not be a wireless remote so you won't have to pull over and disassemble the whole unit every time you want to skip a track or crank the volume. Needless to say, there's also no word on pricing or availability, though that and some more specs should be revealed at the big show in Vegas.