Add the ability for Athletes to use route/course files (no time data) to generate an activity map

[arobbins530_]

It would be great if there was a way to upload a map of an activity without actually having a recorded activity file. This would help the large amount of Strava users who do not have GPS watches/devices better share their activities with their followers beyond the currently available manual activity functionality.

Why it's important: The Strava community is about sharing activities with friends and the world. For users who don't have/can't afford/don't like using GPS devices, this is limited to just sharing text, time and mileage data. It would be very fun if there was a way to upload a map alongside a manual activity. Having a map with an activity makes the post more engaging and allows users to better share what they are doing with their friends.

I see it working like this: Strava only has to implement very small changes, and then let other app developers do the rest. Maps can be uploaded as .GPX files without time data. These maps can be created/uploaded from existing activity mapping apps/sites who want to implement the functionality (full disclosure, I am one of these developers).

Then there would just be a change to the upload endpoint of the Strava API to simply allow a flag, something like "map_only_activity" or "no_pace_data" which defaults to false to not cause breaks. This flag will instruct Strava's side of the API to not try to pull pace data from the file. Instead, the existing info that already accompanies an upload API call will be used to determine average pace (just like with a manual activity) and the .GPX file will only be used for displaying a map.

Additionally, these activities would probably not be eligible for awards like course records and the like since there is no way to know how fast the user traveled on any individual section of the mapped route.

[Jan_Mantau]

If it's only for other users to see where the activity was the user with the gpx file could simply add a picture of that map to their activity.

[arobbins530_]

Jan_Mantau, I agree that is a simple, already existing option to get close to the same thing. I just personally think the interactive Strava maps are a bit nicer, and would require less work on the users end.

[arobbins530_]

Alternatively, allowing a poly line map object to be included when posting to create an activity would achieve this same thing 

[Jane]

​​Thanks for submitting your idea. It has been reviewed by our moderation team and is now open to voting.

The idea title was edited so it will be easier for others to search and vote on. Thank you for your contribution.

[bikejmf]

To Jane,

I vote "YES". Can I vote twice?

[arobbins530_]

Simply allowing a poly line (like the one returned with a detailed activity) to be uploaded/added to an activity via the API would work great as well.