The Man, The Legend, and the Vespa: Remembering Osman Gürsoy
Some people shrink the world. Osman Gürsoy did it on six horsepower.
When I set out to circle the globe in 80 days in 2018, I expected breathtaking landscapes and unexpected breakdowns. What I did not expect was to cross paths with a man who had been doing exactly this — quietly, stubbornly, without sponsorship or social media — for decades before I was born.
While passing through Ordu on the Black Sea coast of Turkey, I had the honour of meeting Osman Gürsoy.
The Vesparado of Ordu
Osman was not just a traveller. He was a force of nature — often called the "Vesparado," a man who spent decades proving that you do not need a massive engine to see the world. Just a 1969 Vespa 150 Sprint, six horsepower, and what I can only describe as a particular variety of Black Sea stubbornness.
By the time I met him, his odometer told a story most riders can only dream of:
- 215,000 km — roughly five times around the Earth, all on the same small scooter
- 19 London-to-Ordu rides — during the 1970s, while living in London, he rode home to Turkey 19 times, choosing a different route through Europe every single time
- USA crossing, 1978 — he took his Vespa across the Atlantic and through the Texas desert in 53°C heat. The locals told him it was suicide for a small Italian scooter. He disagreed.
A Meeting of Two Journeys
Meeting Osman in 2018 felt like a bridge between eras. There I was, mid-sprint around the planet on a classic Vespa, and here was a man who had pioneered the very spirit of long-distance scooter travel before it had a name.
He was 83 years old. The fire in his eyes when he talked about the road was as bright as any young rider I have ever met.
He did not just ride. He documented. Long before vlogging was a concept, Osman mounted a tape recorder to his handlebars and kept an audio diary — the wind, the engines, the people he met. He understood something that took me years to learn: the ride only exists if you record it.
The Ordu-Texas Documentary
Ordu-Texas: Long Way on Short Wheels — the documentary about his life. Watch the trailer. It captures the grit and the grin of Turkey's greatest traveller perfectly.
The Legacy
Osman Gürsoy passed away in December 2020 at the age of 85.
For anyone who thinks they need the newest gear, the biggest bike, or the perfect conditions to start an adventure — look at the man from Ordu who crossed Texas in 53°C heat on a 1969 Vespa 150 Sprint and thought nothing of it.
The machine does not make the journey. The rider does.
Safe travels, Osman. I'll see you on the great road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Osman Gürsoy? A Turkish traveller from Ordu, known as the Vesparado, who rode 215,000 km on a 1969 Vespa 150 Sprint — including 19 London-to-Turkey rides and a crossing of the USA in 1978.
When did Markus meet Osman Gürsoy? During the 2018 Vespa world circumnavigation, passing through Ordu on the Black Sea coast of Turkey. Osman was 83 at the time.
Is there a documentary about Osman Gürsoy? Yes — Ordu-Texas: Long Way on Short Wheels. The trailer is embedded above.
When did Osman Gürsoy pass away? December 2020, at the age of 85.
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