In the summer of 1951, an unexpected rider stole the spotlight in Sweden’s most grueling cycling event. Nils Gustaf Håkansson, a retired bus driver from Helsingborg, became a national sensation at age 66 when he unofficially joined the Sverigeloppet — a six-day, 1,764 km race stretching the length of Sweden — and beat the official racers to the finish.
A Life on Two Wheels
Born in 1885, Håkansson lived in Gantofta with his wife Maria, who ran a café. He had cycled in the mountainous north of Sweden at age 42 and was already known locally as an enthusiastic rider. By the late 1940s, he had earned the nickname “Stålfarfar,” or “Steel Grandpa,” due to his endurance and appearance — notably his long white beard.
Racing Without Permission
In 1951, the Sverigeloppet barred participants over 40. Håkansson was 66. Undeterred, he began one minute behind the last official racer, wearing a homemade bib stitched with a red zero by his wife. While official participants rested between stages, he rode through the nights, reportedly going up to three days without sleep. Police in Söderhamn demanded a medical checkup; doctors confirmed he was in excellent health.
National Attention and a Royal Audience
Håkansson’s progress was closely followed by Swedish newspapers, and public support grew rapidly. When he reached the finish line in Ystad after 6 days, 14 hours, and 20 minutes — a full 24 hours ahead of the official racers — he was welcomed with a parade and celebrated by the community. He was later granted an audience with King Gustaf VI Adolf.
Later Years and Recognition
After his feat, Håkansson appeared in advertisements and toured Sweden performing religious songs in parks and senior homes. He recorded an album at Liseberg, becoming the oldest recording artist in the world at that time. In 1959, he cycled to Jerusalem. He continued riding past the age of 100 and died in 1987, just months shy of his 102nd birthday.
In 1951, Nils Gustaf Håkansson, a 66-year-old retired bus driver from Helsingborg, shocked Sweden by cycling the full 1,764 km of the Sverigeloppet, a professional six-day race.
Though too old to compete officially, he joined anyway, wearing a bib with a red zero sewn by his… pic.twitter.com/naWnySiYrE
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) May 26, 2025