Today we want to share the inspiring story of someone who pursued her passion and fulfilled her dreams by traveling the world. Heinz Stücke Hövelhof, a native of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, decided to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime odyssey: to travel the world by bicycle for more than 50 years. In his journey, he proved that it is not the means of transportation that is essential, but two essential things: doing what you love and exploring the world. From 1995 to 1999, the Guinness Book of Records recognized him as the person who cycled the most kilometers in the history of mankind.
The Beginning of a Dream
Heinz Stücke’s story began at the age of 22, when he left behind his monotonous job as a factory mechanic and grabbed his modest three-speed bicycle to discover what existed beyond the borders of his hometown. Inspired by other travelers who had explored the world without great financial resources, he asked himself, “If others can do it, why can’t I?” Without hesitation, he abandoned his routine and embarked on an adventure that would last five decades. The satisfaction on his face today is a testament to the fact that he made the right decision in following his dreams.
Records and Ambitious Goals
Throughout his journey, Heinz Stücke not only experienced a variety of sensations, but also left an indelible mark on the history of bicycle touring. In 1995, he set the world record for bicycle touring. However, this was only part of his legacy. Between 1962 and 2010, he cycled more than 609,000 kilometers, visiting 195 countries and 78 territories.
Language Learning and Livelihoods
One question you are probably asking yourself is how he communicated with people on his travels. Stücke immersed himself in local cultures and strove to learn languages. He developed his own technique to master different languages. In addition to his passion for travel, he also had a love for photography, having taken over 100,000 images throughout his adventures. He financed his travels by licensing his photographs, donations and the sale of his travel writings, postcards and brochures that included his images.
Setbacks and Challenges
Despite his achievements, Heinz Stücke also faced numerous setbacks and challenges on his journey. Here are some examples of the difficulties he experienced:
- In the Atacama Desert in Chile, he was run over by a truck.
- In Haiti, he was chased by an angry mob.
- In Egypt, he was beaten unconscious by soldiers.
- In Cameroon, he was arrested by the military on charges of “slandering the state”.
- In Alaska, he was involved in a car accident and fell into an icy river.
- In the United States, a car driver abandoned him after stealing all his supplies.
- In Indonesia (1974), he suffered from severe dysentery.
- In Zambia (1980), he was shot in the big toe while surrounded by Nkomo freedom fighters.
- In Mozambique (1995), he was attacked by a swarm of bees while bathing in a river.
- In Siberia (1997), his bicycle was stolen for the fifth time, along with his luggage, but he later recovered everything.
- In England, in 2006, his original bicycle was stolen again, the same one with which he started his journey in 1962, but fortunately he recovered it the next day in a local park.
A Life Immortalized
In 1995, when he achieved his world record, Stücke published his own memoirs in “Around the World by Bike”. In 2015, Dutch travel writer Eric van den Berg published a biography to commemorate Stücke’s daring bicycle travels. The book, “Home Is Elsewhere: 50 Years Around the World by Bike,” also includes photographs captured by Stücke. In addition, Spanish filmmaker Albert Albacete created the documentary “The Man Who Wanted to See Everything”, which delves into the life, motivations, philosophy and legacy of this intrepid traveler. A museum dedicated to Stücke is planned to be built in his hometown of Hövelhof.
Heinz Stücke’s story is inspiring proof that dreams can come true if you have the determination and passion to pursue them. His cycling journey of more than 50 years is a testament to the human capacity to explore the world and find happiness in adventure.