Gravel, Grit, and Greatness: Nelnet Teams Up for Gravel Worlds
On August 23, 2025, 30 Nelnet associates and a few of their spouses hit the gravel roads of Nebraska for the annual Gravel Worlds bike race, tackling either the 75-mile or the 35-mile event. With matching jerseys, contagious energy, and a shared love of cycling, the Nelnet team made a bold impression on the course and across the community.
A Ride to Remember
From seasoned cyclists to first-time gravel adventurers, Nelnet’s crew showed up strong. Riders started together, then paced themselves through scenic stretches and surprisingly hilly terrain. “The most surprising part for me was that we covered 5,000 feet of elevation on the 75-mile ride,” said Isaac Greenlee, Managing Director of Nelnet Diversified Services IT. “You think of Nebraska being pretty flat…I don’t think we rode a flat piece of road all day!”
“Reflecting back on the connections made during Nelnet’s Wilderness Experience (14er climbs) a few years ago, great connections were made across our company and brought individuals together to support a common goal,” said John Turner, Chief Information Officer at Nelnet Diversified Services. “The goal was to find something to rally around that supports our wellness culture while also enabling connections to be made across Nelnet through team members’ love of cycling.”
The course itself was a highlight. “An excellent event on a well-charted course with some incredible perspectives of Nebraska and perfect weather set the tone for a great day,” said Nelnet rider and Managing Director of Capital Markets Judd Deppisch. “Strong Nelnet participation in vibrant green jerseys showcased Nelnet’s role in the community,” he added.
Eric Moyer, Business Development and Strategy Manager for Nelnet Renewable Energy, shared a similar observation: “We made an impact—and I heard various folks say, ‘Another Nelnet rider? How many of you did this ride? I just got passed by some Nelnet people!’”
Even the race announcers called out the large Nelnet presence at the start of the race, and the team’s vibrant green jerseys popped up repeatedly across Gravel Worlds’ social media channels, amplifying Nelnet’s visibility.
Dylan Wesenberg, IT Software Engineer, summed up the experience with flair—using Copilot to help craft his reflection: “Bluebird skies, crisp temps, buttery gravel lines—and just enough gnar on the MMRs to keep your bars twitchy. Nelnet showed up big, and we rode like pirates chasing podiums.”
Connecting Across Offices
One of the most meaningful outcomes of Nelnet’s Gravel Worlds debut was the opportunity for associates from some of Nelnet’s office locations—Lincoln, Neb., Centennial, Colo., and Madison, Wisc.—to connect in person.
“There’s a group of cyclists at Nelnet who connect on Strava, and that shared love of cycling sparked the idea to form a team for this event,” said Tara Duggar, IT Manager and one of the event organizers. “It’s just more fun to do things with people you like instead of by yourself.”
She added, “I heard participants talking about how much they enjoyed the event, how much they enjoyed getting to know each other and getting to build that community. Participating in the race as a group was really fun.”
“It was really inspiring to see so many people from across the country gather in Lincoln for this event,” said Isaac. “While biking is an individual sport, we were a community of 30 strong representing Nelnet in our jerseys and supporting each other with words of encouragement along the way!”
Eric summed it up this way: “The best part was meeting team members from other offices who share our love of cycling.”
Added John: “Everyone was energized by Nelnet’s support and the opportunities to ride with and meet new Nelnet cycling enthusiasts. Having Nelnet very present with our jerseys created great visibility and recognition of Nelnet and our commitment to wellness.”
Memorable Moments
From mechanical mishaps to podium finishes, the day was full of memorable moments. Dylan lost a bolt in his shoe clip 12 miles before the finish line and had to walk around post-race in one shoe and one sock. Meanwhile, IT Senior Support Analyst Kristin Luebke took on the added challenge of completing the 75-mile course on a fat tire bike and earned first place in her category.
And for Isaac? “The best part of the day was being done, watching people finish, and gathering in the Nelnet tent for a beer,” he said.
Behind the Scenes
Participating in a gravel race takes more than just showing up. Planning began in early spring, said Tara, with communication to gauge interest and share what training for these events should look like. “Two months before the event, people started doing rides in their locations. So in Lincoln, we probably did five or six group rides, and we would just meet at a local park and ride in the evening,” she noted.
“While most individuals did their own training, we organized group rides across our three main offices to facilitate the camaraderie and connections that were part of the purpose of this event,” said John.
This preparation not only paid dividends for the team’s physical readiness, but also helped create a sense of community within the group, said Tara.
As Tara points out, this effort ties into not only Nelnet’s support for physical and emotional wellness, but also Nelnet’s return to office initiative. “One of the things that has made return to office a little tricky is people sometimes say, ‘No one from my team is in my office.’ But as we do things like this, you meet people who aren’t on your team and you realize how much fun they are. And it’s motivating to come into the office and see your new friends you just made,” she said.
Looking Ahead
The success of this year’s Gravel Worlds experience has sparked interest in doing more. Associates are already talking about future rides—and how similar events could be hosted at other Nelnet locations.
Getting a team together for the Gravel Worlds event was a test to see if associates would be willing to travel for a wellness team event like this. “The thought was, ‘Let’s pilot here,’ and then the goal would be next year, we’ll do this in either Madison or Centennial and rotate across the three locations so that different people take turns traveling,” said Tara.
“When initially discussed, our goal was to find a bike event that could rotate across Lincoln, Denver, and Madison,” said John. “We hope this is the first of many opportunities for Nelnet cycling enthusiasts to get together to challenge themselves and continue our awesome wellness environment. Triple Bypass 2026 Team?”
Planning for next year’s event will begin in the next couple of months.
Ready to Ride With Us?
Gravel Worlds is just one example of how Nelnet fosters a culture of wellness, engagement, and shared experiences. Associates are encouraged to bring their whole selves to work—and sometimes, to the starting line.
Explore our open positions and learn more about what it’s like to be part of the team at #LifeAtNelnet.
