Here at Garmin®, we hear a lot of inspiring stories involving our GPS III. Not many, however, are as drastic as someone quitting his job, selling his house, and heading out on the highway with a bike and his GPS III. But to Andy Maccabe, it all made perfect sense.

After 10 years of service as a public health officer with the United States Air Force, Maccabe, 41, left San Antonio, Texas last May and set out on a journey that was to take him from Texas north to New England and then down the coast to Florida.

"I decided to do something that I really wanted to do," said Maccabe. "Not everyone can take a year off from everything and leave all of their responsibilities behind. It was a sacrifice, but I was willing to take this trip for those who can't."

For now, he's stopped riding and is in preparation for a possible ride through California, Oregon, and Washington this summer. Before he quit though, he'd rolled up a good number of miles with his GPS III.

"I made it to northern Florida in late November and logged about 4,500 miles, nearly all of it with the GPS III," said Maccabe. "I can't say enough good things about the way it performed. It was easy and comfortable to use, and very durable."

Maccabe's recumbent bicycle is an Under Seat Steering (USS) model, with handlebars underneath the seat that are connected to the front wheel with a rigid tube of aluminum.

"This design results in an incredibly relaxed riding position with the rider's arms hanging comfortably by his sides," said Maccabe. "It's just like sitting in your recliner."

Maccabe positions his GPS III with its handlebar mount above the front tire where most bike handlebars would be. From there he has a clear view of the map page and the world going by. He calls the GPS III his "next favorite piece of equipment other than my bike."

"I can't tell you how entertaining it is to watch the map scroll down as I pedal along the road," said Maccabe.

Maccabe also kept his fans updated as to his whereabouts through his website, www.wheresandy.com. This URL was also prominently displayed on a slow-moving-vehicle sign behind his bike.

"You can see my route with a daily log of some photos of the places I've been and the people I've met," said Maccabe. "I've also included some of my favorite links and a list of books—especially on long-distance bicycle touring—that I have found to be very helpful."

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