I have a couple of loosely related topics that I wanted to mention today.

First off, I just purchased the major mapping software for my new Garmin Edge 800 Bike Computer. This is actually one of the reasons why I bought the more expensive high-end model rather than one of the less expensive models.

After my purchase of the Edge 800, I realized that the touch-screen is an excellent feature 100 and I am really glad that I got the touch-screen model. It is really nice to be able to swipe the screen while riding to switch between the various screens.

Garmin Mapping Software ~ for cycling

Getting back to the mapping software, I bought the 2012 version of City Navigator, the TOPO maps (for the Great Lakes region, which is the area where I live) and I even purchased a copy of Rails-to-Trails for our area.

I got the Rails-to-Trails maps directly from the Garmin site and that was a download so I already have that on on my GPS unit. It looks like this software actually has all the major bike trails in our area. I have already been on most of the trails that are close to me but I can’t wait to check this out when I am further away and close to some trails that I have not been on. You can also use the free Garmin Basecamp software to browse the bike trails that are loaded on to the GPS unit. This feature looks like it will be great for planning bike trips.

I bought the City Navigator software from Amazon because they had the latest 2012 version. This software is sold on a micro SD card which I have not received yet. I am looking forward to getting this software for the points of interest that it comes with as well as being able to see local roads (the base map that the units come with only shows major highways and it pretty limited).

I am not sure if the TOPO maps are going to be as useful for my own particular style of riding but I really wanted to check this out to see exactly what it does have. I bought the TOPO maps from REI and was able to use my REI annual rebate on the purchase along with getting 20% off.

REI 20% Off Sale, until April 15th 2012

This, of course, leads me right to the next topic which is the sale that REI is having right now. REI is currently having one of their major sales that will be going on until April 15th. They are offering 20% off of one item (online or at the stores). They also just gave out their annual dividend which is a rebate that they give REI Members on anything that you buy at the store. This is actually a good deal even though there is a one-time fee of $20 (which is a lifetime membership).

There are some limitations on the 20% off deal but I was still able to use it on the Garmin software. It does say that GPS devices are exclueded but apparently not GPS software. Bike are also excluded except for  REI store brand Novara Bikes which are actually pretty nice bikes (much nicer than the big box store bikes).

At any rate, the 20% off deal is nice (and I took advantage of that one) so if you’re looking for some cycling products (or other outdoor stuff) you have until April 15th for this one.

One final note, I just did a major face-lift on the Bicycle GPS page on our website. I had originally posted this page many years ago (before bike GPS computers were even sold at many places and still very primitive) and although I have updated the page each year, there was some pretty out of date stuff that I needed to clean up. I have also checked all the links for the latest GPS products and deals so this page can be helpful when you’re looking for Bike GPS Computers or related products.