Ha, ha. Yep. A frolicking jackalope. They're quite elusive out there in the wild.
Yes, you can absolutely use the MotoACTV without a phone. I actually don't use my phone with it at all. The main reason for syncing with a phone would be so that you could see text messages and answer calls through the MotoACTV if your phone is nearby. When I use mine, I'm typically out for a run or in the gym, and in those situations, I don't keep my phone with me (it's too much of a hassle, and there are too many ways it can be damaged). All of your data syncs to the MotoACTV website, so after getting everything set up initially, you can sync your workout information from the device to the site using the WiFi on the device itself (or through hooking it up to a computer via a microUSB cable if you don't have WiFi). You can then download your workout data to the MotoACTV app on your phone if you wish. I use the app on my MAXX occasionally to look at previous or upcoming workouts, but that's about it. Pretty much everything I use is on the device itself, or I go through the website. The website is very well done and has a lot of features. It will even give you a run down of the songs you listened during a workout - when you listened to them, how many calories you burned during them, and how far/fast you ran while they were playing (if running) - in an effort to build a playlist made up of songs that you seem to work harder to. It's pretty cool to look at the map of a run after I've uploaded the data and see a sudden spike in my speed and realize that a Slipknot song was playing then. Ha, ha. Motorola has really impressed me all the way around with this device and the effort they've put into supporting it.
And, in an attempt to bring this post somewhat back on topic, the MotoACTV is built like a tank. Quality metal and a Gorilla Glass screen. It's also water resistant. It can put up with quite a beating. It might be a good option for the OP in the bike riding/snowmobiling situations. Get some Bluetooth headphones (I have some, and I love them for running and working out with the MotoACTV), sync up the MotoACTV, stick the MAXX in a small Otterbox (one of the actual waterproof/crushproof boxes they make, not a case), stuff it in a bag or pocket somewhere, and then head on out. You'll be able to read text messages and answer all of your calls through the MotoACTV device. Even if you didn't want the headphones for answering calls or music, you could still see text messages and see incoming calls. Come to think of it, I might start doing that myself in situations where I might fear for the safety of my MAXX.