Originally Posted by Steve B.

We don’t know exactly what the OP is referring to as a Route. I assumed it was the route he had followed as a recorded ride only and not a Course, as he seems to have been unclear as to how Garmin uses the term. If he had been clear and was following a Course then he was obviously aware of the term as he would have had to get that Course onto the Explore in order to follow it.

Semantics refers to the meaning of a word. Possibly the OP is unclear that some apps such as RideWithGPS refers to a pre-defined and planned ride as a “Route”, where as Garmin calls this a “Course”, same meaning, different word.

If the OP was following a “Route” as generated by RWGPS or a Course as generated by Garmin Connect, it’s likely the recorded ride would be following the Route/Course, probably closely enough to be able to use the back to start function. Unless he deviated from the Course, thus the Return To Start would follow the deviated recorded track (or Route as he calls it) at least that’s how I believe that Garmin feature works. Never used it, might be wrong.

But as always it’s a typical argument with you that gets absurd especially as the OP has not chimed with any clarification, likely as his question was answered. I’ll await any follow up from DC if he chooses to clarify.