Using My Garmin 260 GPS When I Ride

I have been eyeballing one of the Garmin 305/605/705 bicycle specific GPS computers but the cost has held me back. Last month we went on vacation and I bought a Garmin car GPS model 260. Looking through the settings I found that you could set it for bicycle use in addition to automobile. Also you can select offroad as an option on the routing.

Making those changes I took it on a ride to test out the recording. The text to voice feature talked me through its attempt to get me back home but it did record my route. I muted the sound on my next ride. Now the question was how do I download the route information and show it on a map.

Searching around I found a free program EasyGPS that works with the Garmin 260. They also offer a paid program ExpertGPS that includes US Geologic Survey maps. EasyGPS does not include any maps.

Using the EasyGPS program I downloaded the route data from my Garmin 260. Next I went to Bikely.com and imported the route data and presto I have the ride on a Google map.

Now to keep routes separate I delete the trip data from the 260 after each ride while saving the file on my computer. I can see trip data on the 260 by tapping on the speed area of the map. This gives things like average speed, altitude, total miles, etc.

Now I get dual duty from my car GPS and do not need to spend the big bucks on the 305/605/705 units.