Garmin / Strava - questions for the patient from tech-idiot

KnightOfTheLongTights

OK so I've finally got the Garmin Edge 500 that I bought 2nd-hand off a club mate fitted and working, and can sort of operate it - as in flicking between menu-pages while nearly ending up on the back of braking vehicles.
I am a tech-dunce and I know I could google the manual etc but I know it will just confuse me, so ...
1. How do I get all the most useful stuff - like time, speed, distance, average speed, cadence - on one page? It's currently spread across about three.
2. How do I now connect, if that is the word, my Garmin to Strava?
I suspect I have to join Strava first?
I know the bloke I bought it off was / is on Strava: will that cause difficulties?
Thanks.

Anonymous

1) This is quite easy in theory but in practise takes lots of finger presses. I can't remember off hand, but a google search or dcrainmaker should be able to help you here.
2) Use the USB cable it came with (or buy one) its the old-old style blackberry one like an angular block of gold shape, not the newer one which works with HTC/Android newer blackberries etc.
Sign up to Strava (create a name or use Facebook to sign up). If you have the newest Garmin software its quite simple. I have the old OSX for Mac and I have to do it the slower way.

Click Upload
Nothing (may) happen and you will see a bit down the page "Garmin - Get started". It will take you through the stages to download the relevant software and then let you upload rides.

The fact its pre-registered will make no difference, so don't worry about that. Just make sure you have deleted all his rides off it. I actually bought a second hand one and when it broke, Garmin let me re-register it to me as I could give the information of the former owner. Meant I replaced it half price when it broke.

barrowmatt

There is a way to do it automatically I believe but I haven't found it, and i'm a tech professional Personally I just 'Export to GPX' from Garmin Connect (tip, it's under the cog icon usually associated with settings) and then Upload -> File into Strava. I don't do enough to put any further effort into finding out the auto bit. I'm using Garmin Express to upload by the way.

Anonymous

It loads direct to strava. It's dead easy. Garmin express is integrated into strava! Just open strava, click upload, click garmin and follow instructions!

KnightOfTheLongTights

thanks both - i'll take a look at this when I'm not mad busy at work

KnightOfTheLongTights

hey tell you what,contrary to my pessimistic expectations,it's pretty user friendly this lark isn't it ... even managed to upload a couple of routes from garmin connect to my device.
Going to try following one of them in the morning - exciting stuff!

KnightOfTheLongTights

a quick question though: if I follow a pre-loaded route tomorrow, will it still automatically record my actual activity in the same way as it does when you are not following a course? i.e, I'll be able to upload my actual ride route and stats to Garmin Connect / Strava as usual?

qube

Yes that's right... you can follow your pre-made route and it will record the new one, whilst keeping the old one.

You can use the VP feature for this and try and beat your lap record.