Why can't I upload a course from a .gpx in GC?

You can use the routeCourse connect IQ app (and website) to upload courses wirelessly:
https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/b7efc9ca-5446-4e1c-bc53-474e97f376ac

Are you sure that your uploaded activity doesn't show up in the list? Keep in mind that .gpx files could have a date saved in them too, meaning that uploading a .gpx file to your activities doesn't automatically mean it'll be the first one to show up, it might be last on the list or maybe even somewhere in between. If you know the estimated length of the .gpx file you could narrow your search down in Connect and make sure that the upload didn't work.

As you have said the usual process would be uploading the .gpx file to your activities in GC (when on the list of activities press the '+' in the top right corner and 'import data'), then search for that activity in the list and add it as a course in the options.

I'm new to Garmin and have two activities saved currently - if it had ported across successfully it'd stand out.

I'm not keen on the idea of signing up to a third party IQ developers site for something as basic as being able to import .gpx files. Seems like a really basic thing to be missing - my (non Garmin, budget) bike GPS can import .gpx's to follow without batting an eyelid. Why not the market leaders back end software? I'd just assumed prior to buying the 935 that something so basic would be covered.

Copying it across by USB cable to NewFiles appears to have worked - I've not tested it by following it but it is at least recognising the course. Anyone know if it's possible to leverage the wifi connectivity of the 935 to connect wirelessly to the storage that way, or is wifi solely for uploading completed activities?

I've got several .gpx files created on third party websites. I want to upload them as a course in GC so that I can follow them on my 935. Running the route and then creating a course from that isn't viable - I want the course first so I don't get lost.

When I try to upload the .gpx files (created on the Ordnance Survey website) as an activity they don't register. I used RideWithGPS to export as one of their .gpx's and .tcx. None show up in the activities (or courses) tab of GC.

I've seen reference to manually copying over the file via the USB cable (and referred to for the Edge series, not the FR's), but surely there must be a cable-less way to take a .gpx file and make it work in GC (and then sync with the 935)? What am I missing?

Convert them to GPX track with this website http://www.gpsies.com/home.do and then try again.

Convert them to GPX track with this website http://www.gpsies.com/home.do and then try again.

That worked, thanks for the tip. At risk of sounding like a broken record I'd still really like to see this supported in GC but I appreciate the workaround.

I'm not keen on the idea of signing up to a third party IQ developers site for something as basic as being able to import .gpx files. Seems like a really basic thing to be missing - my (non Garmin, budget) bike GPS can import .gpx's to follow without batting an eyelid. Why not the market leaders back end software? I'd just assumed prior to buying the 935 that something so basic would be covered.

Yeah, I don't blame you -- that's the same comment I see in the reviews for that app (this is something basic that Garmin should support). Anyway, I only mentioned it because I use dwMap (which is the same app plus navigation, for Garmins which don't have navigation), and I'm pretty happy with it. But yeah, it would be nice if stuff worked out of the box.

I think the problem is they are the market leader with no real competition. So in some ways they can be stuck in the 90s and people will put up with it as long there's a way to get from point A to point B.

Glad you found a better way!

That worked, thanks for the tip. At risk of sounding like a broken record I'd still really like to see this supported in GC but I appreciate the workaround.

I will add that I had to fire up the PC, go into Courses and edit it - without actually changing anything - to get it to recognise the correct distance. And it shows 0m elevation on GC but correctly loads the elevation profile on the 935 which is the main thing.

The 935 will import GPX files if you place them in the NEWFILES folder.

One problem with importing GPX files to the Courses section on GC (even if you could) is that a GPX file just contains position data whereas a course has this plus performance data of how fast you did it (or would like to).

As such I have found if you put a GPX file on your 935 it will "make up" some performance data.

You can of course create a course in GC and then wirelessly transfer it to any compatible Garmin device via the phone app.

Isn't one of the points of Connect IQ to allow development of useful things by parties other than Garmin?

In the 1990s I used paper maps!

OK Grandpa, no one wants to hear how you used to have to ride your penny-farthing uphill to school both ways, LOL.

Isn't one of the points of Connect IQ to allow development of useful things by parties other than Garmin?

No argument here on that. Garmin has left this gap (the manual steps needed to download routes/courses) wide open for too long, but it's awesome that they've now added the programming capabilities for third party developers like us to do this on the Fenix 5 and Forerunner 935 watches.