This section covers how ‘Ride with GPS’ (RWGPS) can be used to
- Plot a route and determine both the length of the ride and the total descent.
- Store the route in ‘your’ library of rides stored within RWGPS.
- Down load a file that can be used with your Garmin SatNav.
- Obtain a ‘link’ that be added to either the ‘Runs List’ or ‘Runs Library’ on the club web site.
Why Ride With GPS?
There are many other programs that are functionally similar to RWGPS, these include
- Strava
- Garmin Connect
- Map My Ride
It is unreasonable to cover all these programs, so I a have chosen RWGPS – it works well and seems to be the most widely used within the club.
Creating an Account.
To work within RWGPS, it is best to create a (free) account – ‘Basic’ and ‘Premium’ accounts are available for a fee, but this is not necessary. A free account will enable you to login, create routes and store them within your own RWGPS library. The rest of this page assumes that you have a free account and that you are logged in.
Routes and Activities.
A ‘Route’ is a ride which you have created/planned with a view to riding it and/or loading it onto your Garmin.
An ‘Activity’ is a ride that you have already ridden, recorded it on your Garmin, and stored it within RWGPS.
One way to create and store a Route is to take a stored Activity and convert it into a Route!
Creating Route.
The most likely starting point is to create yourself a Route within RWGPS. A good introduction into how to do this is shown in this video. (the video is a bit long in tooth, for example to start creating a Route go to ‘Route Planner’ and not ‘Plan’.
Whilst creating a Route it will display both the distance and ascent. When finished you can store the Route for later use.
Printing a Route.
This is a ‘paid for’ feature.
Transferring the Route onto your Garmin (using a GPX or TCX file)
Having created, saved and displayed your route. you will see the option ‘Export GPX/TCX file’, use this option to download the file, in either format, to your computer.
Transferring the TCX/GPX File to your Garmin
Connect your Garmin to the USB port of your computer, the Garmin will appear as a disk in File Explorer. Open up the Garmin device and copy the TCX/GPX file into the folder Garmin > New Files folder. Eject the device, unplug the Garmin and the course will appear in your Garmin menu.
Creating a Link to Upload to the Club Web Site.
It is possible to display your routes on the club web site in either the ‘Runs List’ or ‘Runs Library’
To do this you first need to create a link to the route that has been stored in your RWGPS account. To obtain the link proceed as follows.
- Display your Route within RWGPS.
- Click on Share icon
- Click on ‘Copy Link’
- The link to will then be stored in your clipboard.
- Go to ‘Runs Library’ or ‘Runs List’ in the menu, fill in the form and Paste the link into the form in the appropriate place.
Your ride will then be displayed on the website for the benefit of other members. Don’t be disappointed if it isn’t immediately displayed – it can take 5 or 10 mins to become registered.
Need More Help?
Contact Paul Godfrey, Barry Barlow or Ken Dean who will be happy to help.