Lead Bike Mechanic + Shop Manager

Our resident mechanic and all-around shop guy, Derek, lives in River Falls with his wife Jess and their two kids Mason and Sydney. Derek has been obsessed with bikes since college days and was so happy to find a full-time job repairing bikes, talking bikes and serving beer. Before landing his dream job with The Garage Derek worked as a nurse in Duluth and did a year travel nursing with Jess living in their 5th wheel camper "Sunny".

These days when he isn't repairing bikes or changing diapers Derek enjoys (what else?) biking and drinking beer. Recently, he's taken a big interest in gravel bike racing and tries to make everyone else join him. Get him talking about anything cycling and he'll convince you to buy a gravel bike and sign up for a race!

Brewmaster

Our brewmaster happens to be the owners son. Ellis is a chemist by trade and works full time in Prescott with Interfacial Solutions. When the Johnson family was dreaming up The Garage Ellis expressed interest in brewing beer. He set out on a steep learning curve, researching all things brewing from equipment to recipes to you name it. He did a lot of self learning and attended a seminar and from there he began to brew. Turns out he is pretty damn good at it with natural talent! When not at The Garage Ellis enjoys spending time with his fiancee, Rachel and their dog Carl. They are passionate about music and attend lots of live concerts. And of course, Ellis enjoys biking. In fact you may see him on his daily commute to Prescott on a Giant Revolt E!

Owner, Taproom Manager + Apprentice Bike Mechanic

Matt is an official River Falls “townie” being born and raised here. He lives with his wife, Stephanie. They have three grown boys. He is fiercely proud of his family and is related to basically 70% of River Falls :). Matt is learning a new profession with bikes but has many years of mechanical problem solving under his belt. He is excited to be involved in his own business. Matt can be found in the woods hunting and prepping for hunting, league bowling, golfing or throwing corn hole bags.

Owner + “Doer of Other Duties as Assigned”

Stephanie is also a River Falls “townie” born and raised in River Falls and proud to be a business owner in her hometown. Stephanie fell back in love with all things cycling in 2011 when life took an unexpected turn. One could say swimming, cycling and running saved her life. Stephanie is married to Matt and has three grown sons, a daughter - in - love, and the worlds most beautiful grandson, Wilder. Stephanie is over the moon excited to have a grandbaby to spoil and get on two wheels to take on adventures. She is an Ironman but now is especially loving bike packing adventures and being in nature on two wheels!

Bike Mechanic & Bike Sales

Max was born and raised in Stillwater, Minnesota, and is currently attending school at University of Wisconsin River Falls. Bikes have been a major part of Max’s life since middle school. He joined the Stillwater Mountain Bike Team when he was in 7th grade and rode with them for 6 years, earning 5 consecutive state championship titles, alongside amazing coaches and riders. Riding mountain bikes is Max’s passion along with fixing them for others to enjoy. He has been a bike mechanic for nearly 4 years. When Max is not riding or fixing bikes, you will most likely find him playing his guitar or saxophone and making music which is his other passion outside of all things biking related. Be sure to talk to Max about his favorite local mountain biking spots or anything music-related.