GPX or TCX?

Foyzy

Hi all,

I am doing my first sportive next weekend and want to download the route from the UK Cycling Events website for my Garmin Edge 800. There are two download options - .GPX and .TCX - which one do I need?

I just want to be able to follow the course whilst I am riding the event with turn by turn directions.

Thanks in advance

VTech

.tcx, ive just done the same myself.
Save to desktop, then copy or drag/drop into the garmin unit routes and it will be there.
Good luck on the event.

Foyzy

Thanks. What is the difference between the two? If I download the GPX would I still get turn by turn directions?

freezing77

There are more than one type of gpx file, generally a gpx file will give you turn by turn directions on the 800 but you have to set the course properties to do so.
See this topic

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=40013&t=12921048

smoggysteve

Main difference is TCX hold more info like power, heart rate, cadence etc. The GPX is pretty much just the route details. Elevation is not as accurate either so I am told, but not really an issue if you are just following a route.

freezing77

From somewhere else,
I did some testing the last few days of riding into work. The major difference between the two formats on the Garmin Edge is the ability re-route back onto your course. The Garmin Edge is able to re-route (Automatically or Prompted) back onto your course with a GPX file. With a TCX file, you are informed of being "Off Course" - but it's up to you to find your way back.

duckson

http://ridewithgps.com/edge_800

Anonymous

Hi guys.
How do I get a TCX file onto my edge 500?
I downloaded the file, then imported it to garmin training centre, but how do I use it as a coarse to put on the 500?

Also, the last coarse I used (made from a previous ride, not from the web) did not give me turn by turn. It only told me when I was off coarse.

Bar Shaker

To load it onto your 500 save the file to your desktop, plug in your Garmin and open the folders. Open Garmin, then Newfiles. Drag and drop the route file into this folder. It is now on your Garmin.

To follow the route, go to courses, select the course and then press the spanner. Select Course Directions and turn this on. Now select Go.

I personally use .gpx for loading up courses.

Anonymous

Thanks ;-) I'll try it in a bit.

So I do not need to use Garmin training center at all?

freezing77

Carbonator wrote:

Thanks ;-) I'll try it in a bit.

So I do not need to use Garmin training center at all?

No

deadhead1971

There's a foolproof guide to course navigation on the edge 800 here -
http://www.scarletfire.co.uk/2012/11/foolproof-course-navigation-on-the-garmin-edge-800/

It includes some screenshots showing the difference between GPX and TCX files, in terms of how they are displayed on the map screen of the edge 800.

I get a lot of comments saying that the page really helps people to get their head around using their garmin effectively, so I hope it helps you too.

ednino

I didn't even know my 500 could do that lol

that's for the above^

Anonymous

Thanks guys.
I got it set as a course now really appreciate your help.
The only option I seem to have when I select the coarse is 'Do Course'. Is that all I need to do or am I missing something?
Will it be turn by turn from a TCX file (the site I got it from said it would be if TCX)?

The only time I have followed a coarse on the 500 was one that I copied across from my Forerunner via Garmin training centre.
It did not tell me which way to turn, only if I had gone off coarse. My Forerunner gave me little arrows just before a turn. Is that turn by turn?
What is breadcrumbs?

duckson

I have a Garmin Edge 500.

To navigate with it i create a route on ridewithgps, save it as TCX and then import it into bikeroutetoaster which then enables me to add a turn warning in prior to the turn (i set 300ft) otherwise if you use the TCX direct from ridewithgps it will prompt you to turn when you are on top of the turn which is useless!
Note just save it as a TCX in bikeroutetoaster and save it to the Newfiles folder on the 500.

You can have advance turn warnings with ridewithgps but you have to pay for it.

Anonymous

Thats helpful thanks. It was ridewithgps that I used.

I am used to the late turning thing lol and interesting that you can fix that.
I just need to know I am on coarse tomorrow really and will look into that another time.
On my forerunner the little arrow used to turn very slightly just before a turn so it was almost usable.

So with a TCX file from ridewithgps I will definitely be getting some arrows should I?

Foyzy

Thanks for all the replies. So what I can gather, is that given all I need are turn by turn directions / navigation (not HR, cadence etc) and I have the City Navigator map installed, the GPX file is what I need. Would that be fair to say?

Also I am assuming the GPX files on sportive websites are generally GPX Track files not GPX Route files? Does anyone here have experience of the GPX downloads from ukcycling events and can confirm they work well?

Thanks again

freezing77

Foyzy wrote:

Thanks for all the replies. So what I can gather, is that given all I need are turn by turn directions / navigation (not HR, cadence etc) and I have the City Navigator map installed, the GPX file is what I need. Would that be fair to say?

Also I am assuming the GPX files on sportive websites are generally GPX Track files not GPX Route files? Does anyone here have experience of the GPX downloads from ukcycling events and can confirm they work well?

Thanks again

They are usually track files but its easy to check as gpx is just a variation of an xml file therefore can be viewed with any text editor.
Just look at the header.
This is a track file header.

<gpxx:TrackExtension>
<gpxx:DisplayColor>DarkGray</gpxx:DisplayColor>
</gpxx:TrackExtension>
</extensions>
<trkseg>
<trkpt lat="51.372829461470246" lon="-0.369376223534346" />

This is a route file header

<rte>
<name>Wayneflete Tower Avenue to Pelhams Walk</name>
<extensions>
<gpxx:RouteExtension>
<gpxx:IsAutoNamed>true</gpxx:IsAutoNamed>
<gpxx:DisplayColor>Magenta</gpxx:DisplayColor>

Foyzy

Really helpful - thanks. Just checked the GPX in question and it is indeed a track file. Sorted!

Anonymous

Just got back from sportive and Garmin worked great, thanks for everyones help.
It was very well signed but still good to have confirmation as I am a muppet with directions .

I got the arrows and name of road popping up and I will add the advance warning of turns and do the route again (as its very local to me and a good ride).

VTech

Carbon, which sportive did you do ?

Anonymous

Cheltenham Spa. Went really well
How did yours go?

VTech

Ive no idea where I came but I think I did OK, the first section was a nightmare, easily the hardest ive ever done but at the start they gave me some High5 energy sachets and at the peak of the Malvern Hills I took one and within a few minutes I got a real burst of energy, maybe it was placebo but I was definitely going faster.
There was a period where I was going over 40kph for over 7km which is way above anything ive ever done but that was on the way down.
Im absolutely knackered though, shoulders and lower back aching but it does feel good.
One thing I noticed though, at around 20km I decided to take it easy rather than trying to keep up with the guys doing the longer route (I did the 50) and from then on I seemed to settle in and chip away at the km with ease, I felt I could have done another 20.

Anonymous

Well done ;-)
Mine was pretty flat but longer. I feel a bit shattered too to be honest.

Was it as hard as you thought? Would/will you do another?

Anonymous

I find 'Quick energy' (little orange bottles that you can get in Waitrose) are good for a boost.
Not sure what is in them and they taste foul, but seem to do the trick.
They must be pretty potent as you can only have one every 6 hours and max 2 per day :shock:

VTech

It was much harder, the main issue was the first 7km. Just hill after hill, it was unforgiving.
Once the hills were out of the way it seemed to go well, I took what seemed like a few wrong turns as I worked off the downloadable GPS route but I often get this.
Almost every time I go out I feel like turning back until I've done around 6-10k then I seem to feel fine. Is that normal ?

Anonymous

I dont think its normal to want to turn back but I know what you mean ;-)
I often feel a bit rubbish at first but then perk up after getting further into the ride.