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Only just jumped into the Garmin thing and would be good to have a GPX for a possible few rides we have over the year where we don't know where we're going, but others have ridden.
So where do i begin ? Firstly, can the 520 do this facility ? If so, do i use Garmin Connect via laptop to upload ? Or the Garmin connect App on android ?
Thanks in advance guys
You can do it but it is a right royal pita to set up in my experience. First you need some decent base maps like the open street cycle maps loaded onto it. Google is your friend here. Then you need to convert the gpx file into something else and copy it onto the Garmin in the right location. I have only managed to get it to work twice lol...
But it does work ok if you persevere
It is pretty easy to create a route on Strava and then upload it. The garmin has add on called Strava routes that uploads any route you create in Strava.
https://ridewithgps.com/help/garmin-edge-520
Instructions in there
You can follow without base maps, it just gives you a line to follow and tells you when you go off it.
Its pretty easy to do it with trailforks..
Theres a Trailforks IQ app that you can put onto the garmin via garmin connect. Tie this into your trailforks app and you can send routes directly from the app or PC.
Trailforks also allows you to create routes via uploading gpx files. The whole system works really well. I use it quite a lot.
Dead easy when it works well, personally i use bikehike to create routes, then upload to the new files folder on the garmin (tcx format not gpx so convert if needs be) boosh and its done. Ive got the os maps as a basemap but talkytoasters maps are very good free alternatives.
The only issue with the 520 is the lack of sd storage - means youll have to be selective on the map tiles you upload as you wont have room for much on there, but if you ride the sake few areas this wont be an issue.
Laptop has recently packed up so ive been using garmin connect to create routes and sending them to the gps via iphone, this should be dead easy but its a ballache in practice, never works very well.
Go to DC Rainmaker to find out how to add basemaps. It’s easy to do if you connect the Garmin to a PC/laptop
Use ridewithgps.com to create routes, and then download them as .fit files to your Pc. Transfer them over to the Garmin, and follow them using the courses option.
Or load the routecourse ConnectIQ app and have it automagically flow from ridewithgps to the Garmin. The Strava routes connectIQ app does the same job. Routecourse will strip out turn by turn directions unless you pay for the premium version. Transferring routes with a cable preserves these.
Don’t use the route creator on Garmin connect, it’s crap.