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Importing a .fit file into Garmin Connect from RideWithGPS

Apologies if this has been discussed before but I wasn't able to find a clear answer.

I have a course that was created in RideWithGPS that I want to import into Garmin Connect so I can load it onto my Edge 830. On the RideWithGPS website, it offers several formats to download the file: .fit, .tcx, .gpx, .kml, etc.

In the download window, it states:

FIT Course (.fit)

FIT is the best format for turn-by-turn directions on modern Garmin Edge Devices.

However, when I drag/drop the .fit file into Garmin Connect, it says:

Your course cannot be imported. Files must be .gpx or .tcx format.

So my question is if .fit is the best format? If so, why does Garmin Connect not accept it? If not, why does RideWithGPS tell me it is?

Top Replies

trux over 4 years ago in reply to lytleric +1 suggested

The FIT file format may preserve better some of the parameters, like for example the elevation gain, waypoints, etc. Some of these might get recalculated when using the import in Garmin Connect.
seilogramp over 3 years ago in reply to philipjmorton +1 verified

philipjmorton said:
How did you import them as courses,

Go to https://connect.garmin.com/modern/courses

Click on "Import" at the bottom of the course listing

Browse for your TCX file

All Replies

0 trux over 4 years ago

Yes, you can only import Courses in GPX and TCX file formats. Courses in FIT files can be placed directly on the device (typically over the USB cable, to the folder //GARMIN/Courses), without going through Garmin Connect

0 lytleric over 4 years ago in reply to trux

Thanks. So is one preferable over the other? i.e. would I be better off loading the FIT file directly to my Edge, vs. downloading the TCX file and importing into GC? (And in that case, I assume the course would then NOT be available to view in Garmin Connect, since I would have bypassed GC altogether.)

Just curious why RideWithGPS claims the FIT format to be the best...

+1 trux over 4 years ago in reply to lytleric

The FIT file format may preserve better some of the parameters, like for example the elevation gain, waypoints, etc. Some of these might get recalculated when using the import in Garmin Connect.

0 philipjmorton over 3 years ago

I am trying to do this and keeping get errors. Either "an error occurred with your upload. please try again" or an error in file format. I have tried both .fit and .tcx files and have deleted all downloads and tried again with the same results. The best I have been able to do is get one of the four routes to download successfully into the courses folder. Anyone able to assist?

0 seilogramp over 3 years ago in reply to philipjmorton

To import a course it must be .gpx or .tcx format. Can you zip the file and attach it here so we can see what is wrong?

Zip the file, then in a reply post Insert >> Image/video/file >> click Upload >> browse for file >> OK.

Or upload the file to a file sharing service, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, etc., then post a link to the file in your post.

0 philipjmorton over 3 years ago in reply to seilogramp

Archive.zip

This work? Could it be that all the files are for the same area and it's only picking up the general location and loading only one file? I did try renaming but it didn't seem to make a difference,

0 seilogramp over 3 years ago in reply to philipjmorton

I was able to import those as a course, for example bishops_castle_2_hour_friday_morning_hilly

From there you should be able to send to device using Garmin Express or the mobile app. Then you'll be able to follow the course using your Garmin device. Where are you having a problem?

0 mcinner1 over 3 years ago in reply to seilogramp

Maybe the names are too long - and no difference at the beginning...

https://forums.garmin.com/sports-fitness/cycling/f/edge-1030/248368/course-name-text-size-limit-of-15-characters/1181588#1181588

0 philipjmorton over 3 years ago in reply to seilogramp

How did you import them as courses, as I couldn't see how to do that? Apologies am sure that's a really simple question, clearly failing on the tech here!

+1 seilogramp over 3 years ago in reply to philipjmorton

philipjmorton said:
How did you import them as courses,

Go to https://connect.garmin.com/modern/courses

Click on "Import" at the bottom of the course listing

Browse for your TCX file