Trakke
Let’s talk about Trakke. A really good friend of mine, Alec Farmer, founded the company back in 2010, making messenger bags from upcycled banners and tarpaulins. Recently, after 15 years, Alec took the excruciatingly difficult decision to close the business as it was becoming more difficult year on year to create the bags and accessories under the same ethos that he founded the company on – sustainability, longevity, made in Scotland using Scottish or British materials. I remember the day he phoned me to tell me about the decision. Genuinely, I entered a grieving process.
I have had an association with Trakke since the early days, then particularly in 2014 when Alec gave me a backpack to use on an unassisted single speed bike ride I did from Glasgow to Bristol (as featured in Boneshaker Magazine). I was able to carry everything I needed in that pack on my back. From there, I was involved in a few photoshoots, including a momentous one in Skye (I’ll write more about that another time) and for a while became known as ‘The Official Arse of Trakke’. Suffice to say that since then I have built up a serious wardrobe of Trakke bags and accessories.
We became good friends. He came to our wedding and we to his. We have spent many hours chatting in pubs and bothies. I made the original Campbell Bike Workshop ply hangers on the Trakke laser cutter. We talked on and off about collaborations between Trakke and Weathered Cyclist, but time and Trakke ran out, I suppose.
What Alec achieved by creating Trakke is nothing short of incredible. His next adventure, whatever that will be, is one to look out for. Last night, at a party, we saluted Trakke and particularly Alec, as he was Trakke.
Trakke moves on to pastures new and I wish it well under the custodianship of Alpkit.
The photo came from an exhibition held at Glasgow’s Lighthouse, curated by the Trakke team, back in 2014. That’s the original bag, still going strong today, because that is what Trakke did. Built to last, ageing, but never out of style.