HEINZ STÜCKE (1940–2026)
A Farewell to One of the World's Greatest Bicycle Travelers
648,000 kilometres. 196 countries. A remarkable journey that lasted 52 years...
One of the most influential long-distance bicycle travelers in history, Heinz Stücke, passed away in 2026. Having spent more than half a century exploring the world by bicycle, meeting people from every corner of the globe, and inspiring countless cyclists, Heinz Stücke leaves behind an extraordinary legacy. Following his passing, we are honored to share this heartfelt tribute written by cyclist, traveler, and researcher Ahmet Salih Özenir.
The World Says Goodbye to a Great Traveler
I first learned about the German bicycle traveler Heinz Stücke through a letter I received in 2022. This time, it was another letter that brought me the sad news of his passing.
The letter was written by the German-American journalist and author Ryan Anderson. In 2022, Ryan had contacted me while researching Heinz's visit to Mersin by bicycle in 1958. Now, he was writing to tell me that this adventurous soul had left us.
Heinz Stücke first traveled by bicycle from Germany to Egypt and the Mediterranean coast in 1958 before returning home. In 1960, he cycled as far as India and then returned to Germany via the Soviet Union.
In 1962, at just 22 years of age, he set off once again. He expected the journey to last only 24 months.
Instead, it lasted 52 years.
He cycled more than 648,000 kilometres, finally returning home to Hövelhof in 2014 at the age of 74.
Had he not documented his travels through photography, many of his experiences would seem almost unbelievable.
He crossed the Sahara Desert.
He climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.
He camped on the Great Wall of China.
He reached the Amazon rainforest.
Throughout his travels, Heinz met members of royal families. Yet he always felt most at home among ordinary people rather than the powerful, the wealthy, or those in positions of authority. He loved sharing stories, adventures, and the countless experiences he collected along the way.
In 1996, he became the first person to visit every country in the world by bicycle, an achievement recognized by Guinness World Records.
He accomplished this without sponsorship teams, support vehicles, GPS devices, or expensive equipment.
He was a short, stocky man who looked nothing like today's professional endurance athletes. For most of his life, he owned little more than his heavy three-speed bicycle and the few belongings he could carry with him.
Despite countless hardships, Heinz inspired thousands of people to travel, to explore, and to discover the world by bicycle.
Greek cycling champion Pantelis Ioannidis once shared these memorable words from Heinz:
"Heinz once told me that the real weight is carried not by your legs or your bicycle, but by your mind. If your spirit is light and free, the bicycle almost rides itself."
In the final years of his life, Heinz lived quietly in his home in Hövelhof, surrounded by the memories of more than half a century spent on the road.
Ryan Anderson ended his letter with words that deeply moved me:
"Heinz has left us, but perhaps he has simply continued his journey, pedaling on from where he left off."
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Ryan Anderson for this meaningful letter and for the years he has devoted to researching Heinz Stücke and preserving his remarkable story.
May your pedals never stop turning, great traveler.
— Ahmet Salih Özenir
Editor's Note
This article was written by cyclist, traveler, and researcher Ahmet Salih Özenir and is based on the author's personal research, correspondence, and archival work.
At Bisiklopedi, we respectfully remember Heinz Stücke and thank him for the inspiring legacy he left to cycling culture and the history of bicycle travel.