MISSOULA, Mont. (BRAIN) — Michael Deme, who was Adventure Cycling's director of design and media, died suddenly and unexpectedly of natural causes this week at age 51.
Deme was a 24-year staffer of Adventure Cycling Association and longtime editor of Adventure Cyclist magazine.
“This is a tremendous loss for the organization, operationally and personally,” said Jim Sayer, Adventure Cycling’s executive director. “It is no overstatement to say that Mike was one of the most important staff people in Adventure Cycling’s history, in the way that he transformed the magazine into one of the most beloved cycling magazines anywhere. He also played a crucial role in diversifying our communication offerings and developing our design and media department. We are all still trying to absorb what life without Mike Deme will be like.”
Deme served as assistant editor, editor-in-chief, and executive editor of the publication beginning in 1998 and guided Adventure Cyclist’s growth as a voice for bicycle travel and two-wheeled adventure around the world.
In 2015, he moved into the executive editor position as he took on a greater organizational role as the director of design and media for Adventure Cycling. In addition to the magazine, he contributed to and oversaw countless promotional materials, catalogs, and the pre-Google clearinghouse for bicycle travel information, the Cyclists’ Yellow Pages.
"The passion he brought to his work throughout his career is irreplaceable, and his mark on Adventure Cycling, bicycle travel, and cycling in general is profound," the organization said.
Deme was raised in Connecticut. His other passions included golf, the New York Giants and a "side job" of nearly 30 years as one of Missoula’s best-known bartenders. Adventure Cycling will host a celebration of his life and work this spring. Dates will be announced soon pending family services.
