One Year of Garner and Tow: What We've Learned and What's Next

One year ago, Garner and Tow was little more than a sketchbook full of ideas, countless prototypes, and a belief that bike bags could be more adaptable.

Today, seeing Garner and Tow bags on bikes around Chicago and beyond is something I still don't take for granted.

As we celebrate our first year, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we've learned, what surprised us, and what riders have taught us along the way.

Most importantly, I want to say thank you.

Because while this company may have started with one person and a sewing machine, it has grown because of the people who chose to ride with us.

Why Garner and Tow Exists

Like many of you, I started as a cyclist trying to solve my own problem.

I wanted bags that worked both on and off the bike. Bags that looked at home in everyday life, not just during a ride. Bags that could adapt to commuting, errands, travel, and the countless situations in between.

As someone who has commuted by bike in Chicago for years, I found myself constantly switching between bags depending on where I was going and what I needed to carry.

That frustration became an idea.

That idea eventually became Garner and Tow.

From the beginning, the goal wasn't simply to make another bike bag. It was to create thoughtfully designed waxed canvas bike bags that fit naturally into everyday life.

What Surprised Us Most

When you launch a product, you think you know how people will use it.

Then customers prove you wrong—in the best possible way.

We've seen riders use our bags in ways we never anticipated.

Some use them primarily for commuting. Others for grocery runs, weekend adventures, bikepacking trips, travel, photography, and even as their primary work bag.

The creativity and adaptability of our customers continually reminds us that good design isn't about telling people how to use a product. It's about creating something flexible enough to fit into their lives.

One of the biggest surprises has been seeing how many people appreciate having fewer bags overall.

Many customers have told us they purchased a Garner and Tow bag for cycling but ended up using it everywhere.

That's exactly the kind of versatility we hoped to create.

What Riders Have Taught Us

If there's one thing we've learned during our first year, it's that cyclists pay attention to details.

A lot of details.

Every piece of feedback, suggestion, question, and product review has helped shape how we think about design.

Riders have taught us that:

• Small improvements matter.

• Accessibility matters.

• Durability matters.

• Simplicity matters.

• Versatility matters.

Most importantly, they've reminded us that every rider's routine is different.

Some people commute five miles each way to work.

Others use their bike for quick neighborhood trips.

Some are carrying laptops. Others are carrying groceries, camera equipment, or picnic supplies.

There is no single "correct" way to ride a bike, and there shouldn't be a single way to carry your gear.

Building a Small Business Is Different

Garner and Tow is not a large company.

There isn't a massive design department, a warehouse full of inventory, or a team of executives deciding what's next.

It's a small business built one product, one order, and one customer at a time.

That means every order still feels personal.

Every review gets read.

Every email gets noticed.

Every photo shared by a customer is genuinely exciting.

There are certainly easier ways to build products.

But one of the rewards of being a small business is maintaining a direct connection with the people who use what you make.

That connection has become one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

Chicago Will Always Be Part of the Story

Garner and Tow was shaped by riding in Chicago.

The city's bike lanes, neighborhood streets, lakefront paths, changing weather, and daily commutes influenced nearly every design decision we've made.

Riding year-round teaches you what works and what doesn't.

It teaches you the value of durability.

It teaches you to prepare for changing conditions.

And it teaches you that the best gear isn't necessarily the most complicated—it's the gear that consistently shows up and does its job.

While riders now use Garner and Tow bags in many places, Chicago remains at the heart of the brand.

What's Next

The short answer?

More learning.

More refining.

More listening.

The first year was about proving that these ideas resonated with riders.

The second year is about continuing to improve them.

We're exploring new ideas, new opportunities, and new ways to make everyday cycling more enjoyable.

Some of those ideas are already taking shape.

Others are still sketches waiting for the right moment.

For now, we're keeping the details under wraps.

But we're excited about what's ahead.

Thank You

If you've purchased a bag, shared a photo, recommended us to a friend, stopped by an event, left a review, or simply followed along during this first year—thank you.

Starting a company is filled with uncertainty.

The support of this community has made those uncertainties easier to navigate and the successes far more meaningful.

One year in, we're still learning every day.

And we're incredibly grateful you're along for the ride.

Here's to year two.