On the evening of the 15th September 2026, we lost Max Riese in a cycling accident.
A tragic coincidence. A fatal collision as unlikely as it gets: a deer on a downhill at high speed, towards the end of a training ride on his home road, the Rossfeld Panoramastraße.
For those who knew and loved him, this loss is deeply personal; for gravgrav, it means losing the driving force who founded, shaped, connected, and carried so much of what we are.
We are finding our way through this change together.
We want to break the silence, share where we stand and how we are approaching the months ahead, as well as how we want to honour Max’ spirit and carry our ideas forward. Towards the next checkpoint.
The loss of Max has changed us profoundly. We are taking our time to grieve, to hold space for each other, to remember, to reflect, to dream. And to understand what gravgrav can and should become: the collective that Max envisioned, something bigger than any one of us.
The things Max inspired, created, and built were always about collective effort. His spirit lives on in the hearts of people, in routes, races, pictures, stories, friendships, and communities that grew around them.
This period of change will be a time to clarify our values, and to allow roles and ideas to unfold. We will make it a collective effort to anchor Max’ intangible legacy at the heart of gravgrav as an organisation.
For now, one thing is certain: gravgrav remains operational.
We are riding on. We will continue to work on the commitments that can responsibly be carried forward, while taking the coming months to find our way towards the next chapter.
We know what guided Max: curiosity, openness, diversity, inclusion, dedication, sustainability, democracy, a lively culture of discussion, the pure joy and enjoyment of riding bikes, and making sure that nobody has to ride alone.
These are the values we intend to carry forward.
The 2027 season will be about finding the next trail, together.
We don't have all the answers yet, and we can’t pretend that we do.
We are opening our minds, hearts, and inboxes, and continuing to move forward with care and intention. At the same time, we are preparing a space for the stories, memories, and traces of Max that so many of you carry with you.
If you wish to get involved, contribute your skills, time, ideas for projects in Max' honor, sponsorship, or simply your care, please reach out to [email protected]
In the name of gravgrav Collective,
Lisa, Karen, Jan, Žan.
