Nicholas “Nick” Legan
Storyteller, Advocate, Industry Leader, Coach, Athlete
Nick Legan is one of the most multi-faceted leaders in gravel cycling. His influence stretches far and wide, with notable contributions to the sport as an author and storyteller, advocate, industry leader, coach, and athlete.
Legan has used his connections and leadership at Shimano to enact meaningful change in the sport. By leading Shimano's marketing to support diversity in gravel cycling by sponsoring underrepresented athletes and events, Legan has left an impact on the sport that is nearly impossible to calculate.
Legan was formally introduced to the gravel world at the 2011 DK/Unbound Gravel, while documenting the race for VeloNews magazine. Despite hiding in a ditch to take cover in a heavy thunderstorm, and riding well into the night, Legan finished the event and was hooked on gravel. His stories about his ride that year helped introduce gravel to a new generation of cyclists that were seeking new adventures.
Since then, Legan has gone on to finish five DK/Unbound Gravel events, has won the Trans South Dakota event, and finished the Tour Divide in 2018. He’s also finished the 150- and 300-mile Gravel Worlds events, and has participated in countless events across the country, including Rock Cobbler, Wild Horse, Michigan Coast to Coast, and Rebecca’s Private Idaho.
In 2017, as the greater cycling world was beginning to embrace gravel, Legan wrote and published “Gravel Cycling: The Complete Guide to Gravel Racing and Adventure Cycling”. In the book, Legan highlighted many of the gravel events that have risen to prominence and helped riders outfit themselves appropriately for gravel and bikepacking adventures.
Legan was instrumental in Shimano’s 2019 launch of GRX –– the world’s first dedicated gravel component groupset. And as leader of the Shimano Gravel Alliance, Legan has contributed to making gravel cycling more accessible, welcoming, and inclusive. By aligning Shimano’s financial support with events and athlete ambassadors across the country, Legan has helped spread the joy the sport can bring to countless riders.
With all the accomplishments and influence Nick has had on the sport of gravel cycling, he has made every step with respect, humility, and kindness to everyone he interacts with. He genuinely finds happiness in the success of others, and his support has been instrumental in the success of gravel events across the globe.
From spending countless hours turning a wrench, helping with riders' mechanicals at events, to being one of the biggest smiles on the side of a road cheering riders on, Nick Legan is a selfless leader. Even when his own road of life is difficult, he blesses everyone with the kindness you would give a great friend.
