Legendary cyclist Heinz Stücke, who spent more than 50 years pedaling around the planet, passed away last week at age 86. Find photos, a tribute, and more about the extraordinary German bicycle traveler here…

Photos by Sebastian Hofer

In the early 1960s, young Heinz Stücke, just 22 years old, left his factory job and rode away from his hometown of Hövelhof in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, aboard his three-speed bicycle with $300 in his pocket. He would go on to pedal some 648,000 kilometers through 211 countries and territories on a non-stop journey that spanned more than five decades. He was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as “having traveled more widely by bicycle than anyone in history,” was the subject of a feature-length documentary called The Man Who Wanted to See It All, and was profiled in the 12th issue of The Bikepacking Journal, to name just a few ways the inspiring figure’s legacy was recorded.

Heinz Stucke, Heinz Stücke
  • Heinz Stucke, Heinz Stücke
  • Heinz Stucke, Heinz Stücke
  • Heinz Stucke, Heinz Stücke

Heinz died in his hometown last week, on July 22nd, 2026, at the age of 86, leaving behind an unmatched bicycle-travel legacy that will continue inspiring generations of riders to come. We will remember Heinz for his incredible curiosity and dedication to experiencing the world’s cultures from the saddle. His was easily one of the most noteworthy voyages in the long history of bicycle touring and a reminder of the unique richness afforded by traveling on two wheels.

The Bikepacking Journal 12
An excerpt from our profile of Heinz in The Bikepacking Journal 12

Throughout his remarkable 51-year ride, Heinz collected a trove of writings, images, journals, souvenirs, and gear, all of which have been carefully preserved and archived and will form the foundation of a museum in his honor. Beyond the keepsakes, though, what really mattered to Heinz was connecting with people and discovering a shared humanity beyond every border. In addition to his native German, he learned English, Spanish, French, and Japanese, among other languages, because he believed that speaking with people in their own languages was the best way to truly know them.

The trailer for the feature film documenting Heinz’s incredible story

Heinz’s funeral will take place tomorrow, July 30th, 2026, at 2 p.m. local time in the cemetery chapel at Hövelhof. You can follow his Instagram account for more memories and updates. Rest in peace, Heinz, and thank you for sharing your one-of-a-kind adventure with us.

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