Im totally new to this garmin world. I know there are forums especially for them but I thought there are plenty of people here that may be able to help get me started in the right direction.

I am thinking ahead for spring century rides. how would I download a map of the course they set up? I believe I know how to get it on my garmin and such, I'm more concerned about how do I go about getting the map? I went onto the 2012 sight for this particular century and I didn't see any kind of map established yet.

I am assuming (so correct me if I'm wrong) that once I do get a map installed, I can use page 2 or 3 to view it (even page 1 if I had the available space). Am I understanding that correctly?

EDIT: Sorry, Edge 500

heres a blog where the guy does a pretty detail on the "how to" guides https://www.dcrainmaker.com/

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/p/how-to-guides.html

Which Edge?

If you have the 800 and it has the map installed for your region you can search for the event on mapmyride, RideWithgps etc. download the gpx tracks, put it in the Newfiles folder.

If you don't have good maps you can download free ones, the base map won't cut it for most century rides.

Here's a link to a quick guide.
https://ridewithgps.com/edge_800

I've used my Edge 800 for 8600 miles and have been very pleased...

If you have a 705 you will find the instructions on ridewithgps as well.

Enjoy your new toy!

none of that info looked compatible with the edge 500. Is that correct? like I said, VERY new to this and dont know which way is up.

I dont think you can put maps on the edge 500.

larry-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAEM26w0bgg

You can download a course and follow it with a 500.

There is an explanation in this review with pics
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2009/11/g...th-review.html

In practice it doesn't work very well, at least for me. The couple of times I used it with longer (25+) mile maps, it would freak out and tell me too late that I missed my turn.

I did a 200k following a ride pinched from garminconnect. Just find a ride and "save as course"
The 500 chokes a little now and then when changing screens/zooming and would often give "off course" messages but worked OK. I had to turn the thing off/on twice when it froze too.
Note when the 500 is telling you you're off course it stops recording.
https://connect.garmin.com/activity/133603604

I'm aware that you can download a map. I can figure that part out. What I'm asking is if there is no map downloaded for a particular century ride or weekend ride, how do you go about getting one or how do you make one and install to device?

is this how I would do it? Is this compatible with the garmin 500?

Maybe this is the question i was looking for....

Can you create a custom map and use it as a course on the edge 500?

Yeah www.bikeroutetoaster.com etc
The 500 doesn't like more than about 115km per course.

thank you!

Hey Bianchi, I haven't used it yet, but try the new course creator in the Garmin Connect website. Once you sign in, click on courses. I've used bikeroutetoaster on my 705 successfully, but thinking that the integrated course creater may work well. Its new and not sure many have used it yet.