Taj Mihelich does not do press. He never has. That’s part of why his appearance on the OurBMX Unclicked podcast is such a big deal, not just for BMX but for anyone who rides a mountain bike and cares about the culture that shaped it.
If you came into riding through downhill edits, freeride flicks or Instagram trick clips, you may have missed Taj’s era. But you’ve still felt his influence. Mihelich helped define a generation of riders who believed bikes were canvases for expression, not just tools for progression. His blend of style, humility and quiet creativity bled into early freeride, dirt jumping and street riding on bigger wheels. Many of the features and aesthetics riders chase on mountain bikes today trace straight back to him. And if you’ve ever thought a downside tailwhip is the best looking trick ever, you have Taj to thank.
Why mountain bikers should care
BMX shaped the foundation of modern mountain biking. How we ride jumps, how we think about flow, even how we talk about style. So much of it was first written by riders like Taj. Hearing him unpack his career, with special guest host Mike Escamilla, is a chance to understand where that entire language came from.
He talks about doing things your own way, ignoring trends, and staying true to the weird creative spark that makes bikes fun. It’s a refreshing antidote to the hyper-produced world of modern MTB, where progression and pressure often overshadow joy.
And then there’s his life after pro riding. Taj has become anillustrator and storyteller, turning his unique view of bike culture into art and books, including his new release Ban the Fan. His perspective captures something many riders feel but rarely articulate: the magic of bicycles at their simplest.
A rare window into a quiet genius
The three-and-a-half hour conversation is relaxed, funny, thoughtful and surprisingly generous from a rider who usually prefers staying out of the spotlight. Whether you ride BMX, enduro, DH or dirt jumps, Taj Mihelich’s voice is one worth listening to. This episode proves why.