If you had asked Mike Tag if he knew who Chris Doyle is, I bet he would’ve said something like, “yeah, I’ve met him before”. Short and honest, just like any conversation him and I ever had. We were not close. Mere acquaintances that, if we were in the same place at the same time, in passing, would say a brief “hello”. That was good enough for me. It was probably for the best that him and I never got into a lengthy conversation; I know I would’ve ended up geeking out on him one way or another and probably embarrassing the both of us. I was always a fan. I think it was in Juvenile Trickery when he did a no-footed-seatgrab-barspin; super clean, with absolutely no sketch, it was 1994. I remember how impossible that trick seemed to me. Fast forward to 2012 and I can only think of 3 or 4 people who can properly execute that trick… almost as good as Tag did it.

I grew up on the east coast in the mid – late 90′s, therefore, Mike Tag was a key player in just about every video that moved me in the early stages of my riding. From Juvenile Trickery to 1201 to Anthem, and to any and all of the FBM video’s. Whether it was behind the lens or in front of it, I can thank Tag, those videos (and his riding) meant a lot to me… still do. To me, Tag’s riding and his contributions to BMX represent a time and place very dear to me. I grew up calling guys like Colin Winkelmann and Mike Tagliavento “BMX heroes”. Therefore, I’m glad that I was able to know them; very few people get to know, let alone meet, the people they consider their heroes.

Rest in peace. It wouldn’t have been the same without you.

- Chris Doyle