The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

When the World Sleeps, I Ride Sometimes, life gets in the way of our plans—and as a cyclist, I’ve learned to adapt. On busy days when I can’t fit in a daytime ride, I turn to the night. There’s something magical about cycling under the stars, especially on a long, quiet country road. The cool air, the moonlight, the solitude—it’s almost meditative. But as peaceful as it is, night cycling comes with real risks . Visibility drops. Hazards are harder to spot. And let’s face it—drivers don’t always expect to see a cyclist at 10 p.m. That’s why I’ve developed a personal checklist of night cycling safety tips that keep me safe, seen, and still able to enjoy the ride. 1. Be Seen or Don’t Ride Visibility is everything when you’re biking after dark. I light myself up like a Christmas tree—because if a driver can’t see me, nothing else matters. Here’s my go-to setup: A powerful white headlight A bright red taillight Reflective spoke covers ( like these ) Reflecti...

Heinz Stücke: The Touring Cyclist Who Covered the Most Miles Ever Real Cycling Experience. Real Cycling Gear Recommendations. Last Updated: January 6, 2026 Quick Answer: Heinz Stücke is widely regarded as the touring cyclist who covered the most miles ever—riding for roughly 56 years, traveling through nearly every country on Earth, and logging an estimated 648,000 kilometers (about 403,000 miles) between 1962 and 2018. When it comes to touring cyclists who’ve covered the most miles in history, one name stands above the rest: Heinz Stücke . Born on January 11, 1940 in Hövelhof, Germany , Heinz set off in 1962 at age 22 with a simple goal—to tour Europe by bicycle. But that ride never really ended. He pedaled through France, Spain, and Portugal, then crossed into Morocco. From there, his route stretched through Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and beyond. Over the decades he rode through 196 countries and 78 territories , logging a...