Following requests from members who wanted to learn how to use their Garmins better – especially to load rides on and then navigate a route – we held a Garmin workshop. Topics covered including loading a route supplied from elsewhere (such as a club ride or sportive) and planning your own ride then loading to your Garmin, to create a route which you can then follow.

There was lots of useful discussion and a hands on session with members loading up files to their Garmins, as well as a demonstration of planning a route with RideWithGPS. It was pointed out that although many people refer to GPX files for routes, this is in fact quite an old file format and most Garmins will support FIT or TCX files which often give more information and are easier to follow.