The Cyclist on the Roof of the World: A book recommendation for Tibet enthusiasts

The focus is on the geophysicist Albrecht Schulze, who has undertaken a total of ten trips to Eastern Tibet since 1997, covering more than 13,000 kilometres by bicycle.

Travelling through high plateaus and mountainous regions

Schulze’s journeys take him across vast high plateaus, through nomadic regions and over mountain passes at altitudes of up to 4,600 metres. He travels light, usually spends the night in a tent and, alongside the impressive landscape, also finds himself in difficult situations. These include a severe earthquake that took him by surprise during a trip in 2008.

Schulze recounted his personal experiences in detailed conversations with cycling writer Hardy Grüne. The book thus combines a travelogue, a personal history and insights into Tibetan culture. It focuses on encounters with local people, the conditions at high altitude and the practical aspects of travelling by bicycle.

Features and classification

The cyclist on the roof of the world was first published in 2026 by Delius Klasing Verlag. The hardback edition comprises 192 pages and contains 80 photographs and illustrations. It measures 19.6 × 23.8 centimetres.

The book is aimed at cyclists interested in extraordinary cycling trips, Tibet and personal adventure stories. It is not a guide to planning a high-altitude mountain tour, but rather a narrative account of endurance, curiosity and the experiences of a traveller who has explored Tibet by bicycle over many years.

The hardback edition is available from Delius Klasing for 29.90 euros; according to the publisher, the e-book edition costs 23.99 euros.