Yes, the STM32 can be difficult, especially if you are trying to get a bootloader working.? ?I never got a bootloader to work well.? ?Even if you do, the USB connectors on the Blue Pill are notoriously unreliable.? ? ??
The fastest and easiest method to program a Blue Pill is with an inexpensive programmer called the ST-Link v2.? ?Knockoffs are widely available on eBay and Amazon for about $6.? ?I purchased mine on sale for less.? ?It is well worth the money.? ?See
I sure hope you consider adding ESP controllers to the GPS clock. I have spent two evenings trying to program STM32 blue pill boards, with limited success. One board I have managed to get programmed with a bootloader, one board says the bootloader upload was successful but it was't, and two boards refuse to be programmed. The ESP boards come with a bootloader, and it works!!!
Thanks for sharing your projects, they are very simple hardware wise with very sophisticated software.