Easy Riders celebrates 50 years of serving the Brainerd community

Easy Riders Bicycle and Sport Shop, founded and owned by Kenn Shepherd, celebrates its fiftieth anniversary this February.

From the beginning, Kenn Shepherd’s goal was to bring quality outdoor equipment to Brainerd, Minnesota. And, for the past fifty years and counting, he’s done just that.

February 22, 2022 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of Brainerd’s Easy Riders Bicycle and Sport Shop.

Since 1972, Easy Riders has been a pillar of Brainerd’s outdoor and cycling communities—even through several location changes, from its first home on South 6th Street to the Mobile gas station where Kenn pumped gas between bike sales, and finally to 415 Washington Street, where it operates today.

No matter the location or challenge, Kenn’s hardworking, entrepreneurial spirit pushed the shop ever forward. In its long tenure, Easy Riders has become much more than a retail store, as Kenn and his staff have focused their efforts on supporting the greater Brainerd community.

The groundbreaking site of Easy Riders.

The shop backs organizations like the Paul Bunyan Cyclists, Cuyuna Crew, NICA high school riders, Lakes Area BMX, and many more. They have also championed increased and improved cycling infrastructure and trail-building in and around Brainerd for years.

While Kenn and his wife Lori still own Easy Riders Bicycle and Sport Shop, the day-to-day operations are now handled by Kenn’s son-in-law Brian Moon. Brian and his wife Lisa have proudly continued what Kenn started years ago, making good on his promise to bring the best in outdoor recreation products—from e-bikes to cross-country skis—to Brainerd.

What impact does a family-owned business have on a community for fifty years? In some ways, it’s immeasurable, says Kenn’s daughter Lisa Moon.

“Sometimes I wonder if I have any idea of the magnitude of the impact of Easy Riders. Maybe it’s big. Maybe it’s small. But I do know it’s been big to our family. It’s how we’ve contributed and made the world a better place. We’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity.”

Lisa attributes the success of Easy Riders to her dad, who she calls, “A man of faith, leadership, and family—a man who made money but gave even more.”

Now into its fifth decade, and much like Kenn himself, Easy Riders Bicycle and Sport Shop has no plans of slowing down. Pay them a visit at 415 Washington Street to browse the best outdoor equipment, rentals, and cycling products around, and check out a piece of Brainerd history.