We all remember where we were and what we were doing on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001. Beyond those chilling hours of trying to make sense of the news and horrific images it gets fuzzy. This is a story about what the members of Team USA 2001 did on the morning of Sept. 11. How they reacted, where they went, what decisions they made. Or didn’t make. It’s difficult to write a story about something that didn’t happen. Team USA didn’t go to Belgium for the 2001 Motocross of Nations. Heck, it’s hard to remember the story behind something that didn’t happen. And that’s why I wrote a story about a team that didn’t go, about bikes that didn’t get ridden, about memories difficult to unpack. Telling stories isn’t always easy, especially when it’s something nobody really wants to remember. Thank you to the 21 people interviewed for this and those who helped with the photo assets. Want to read the print story and see more of the photos of the Team USA bikes? You can find that at this link. Where were you on 9/11? Join the conversation in the comments below. And thanks for listening. If you value these stories and want to keep them coming, buy products straight from the shop at wewentfast.com/shop. We Went Fast is a small (like, 83 square feet) independent brand devoted to quality. Or, join me at Patreon.com/wewentfast. Patreon helps an independent creator like me produce content you care about.  From $3 to $25 a month, you can have a direct impact on what happens at We Went Fast. And I’ll reward you with some really great stuff. Mike Brown's 2001 Kawasaki KX125 for the Motocross of Nations - Simon Cudby PhotoRicky Carmichael's 2001 Honda CR250R for the Motocross of Nations - Simon Cudby PhotoRicky Carmichael's 2001 Honda CR250R for the Motocross of Nations - Simon Cudby PhotoKevin Windham's 2001 Suzuki RM250 for the Motocross of Nations - Simon Cudby Photo

We Went Fast

Ep. #15 No Planes in the Sky: The Grounding of Team USA 2001

Team USA was going to skip the 1981 Trophée and Motocross des Nations. Instead they bake-saled their way to Europe and shocked the world by winning, not one, but both of the events.

Ep. #14 When We Were Kings: Team USA wins the 1981 Trophée & Motocross des Nations

Fifty years after its release, Bruce Brown's motorcycle documentary continues to influence. From Malcolm to Masterson, this is a collection of stories from people whose lives were never the same after watching "On Any Sunday"

Ep. #13 50 Years of Sundays: “On Any Sunday Will Change Your Life

Fifty years after its release, Bruce Brown's motorcycle documentary continues to influence. From Malcolm to Masterson, this is a collection of stories from people whose lives were never the same after watching "On Any Sunday" The post Ep. #13 50 Years of Sundays: “On Any Sunday Will Change Your Life appeared first on We Went Fast.

They told him not to. But when rookie James Stewart committed to jumping LaRocco's Leap on a 125, Jeff Kardas knew where to point the camera. Podcast version of "Modem Killer: James Stewart vs. LaRocco's Leap"

Ep. #12 Modem Killer: James Stewart vs. LaRocco’s Leap

They told him not to. But when rookie James Stewart committed to jumping LaRocco's Leap on a 125, Jeff Kardas knew where to point the camera. Podcast version of "Modem Killer: James Stewart vs. LaRocco's Leap" The post Ep. #12 Modem Killer: James Stewart vs. LaRocco’s Leap appeared first on We Went Fast.

Was the PW50 your first bike? It was for me! "Little Giant: The PW50 Story" celebrates the life and legacy of this iconic motorcycle, which turned 40 in 2020. It may have aged but it hasn't grown up. The Yamaha PW50 is a familiar piece of our childhood that we're passing along to our own kids.

Ep. #11 Little Giant: The PW50 Story

Was the PW50 your first bike? It was for me! "Little Giant: The PW50 Story" celebrates the life and legacy of this iconic motorcycle, which turned 40 in 2020. It may have aged but it hasn't grown up. The Yamaha PW50 is a familiar piece of our childhood that we're passing along to our own kids. The post Ep. #11 Little Giant: The PW50 Story appeared first on We Went Fast.

It's rare when the loser gets the magazine cover, steals the spotlight and becomes a legend. Ryan Hughes did all three on a hot summer day when he lost the 125cc AMA Pro Motocross championship to Steve Lamson. But he didn't win over the crowd because he finished second overall. It was because he kept going at the exact moment most would find no reason to. "Broken Hearts and Busted Chains" is the story of September 3, 1995 and why Ryan Hughes decided to push. It's the story about why Wyatt Seals wanted to borrow a chain. It's about why Chris Hultner decided to break from Steve Lamson's championship and shoot what became one of the most iconic photographs in motocross history. We Went Fast's podcasts are also available on your favorite podcast player. Just search "We Went Fast", hit subscribe and please leave a rating to enable more people to enjoy these stories.

Ep. #10 Broken Hearts and Busted Chains

It’s rare when the loser gets the magazine cover, steals the spotlight and becomes a legend. Ryan Hughes did all three on a hot summer day when he lost the 125cc AMA Pro Motocross championship to Steve Lamson. But he didn’t win over the crowd because he finished second overall. It was because he kept […] The post Ep. #10 Broken Hearts and Busted Chains appeared first on We Went Fast.

In 1972, Terry Pratt put his life in America on pause to spend 6 months following the MXGP season. 35 years later he published "Grand Prix Motocross: The 1972 Championship season". Pratt died before he could finish selling his masterpiece but he left behind a trail of paperwork and friends and a story that needed to be told. Pratt is one of the unsung heroes of the motorcycle industry, whose contributions are still being realized.

Ep. #9 The Curious Life of Terry Pratt

In 1972, Terry Pratt put his life in America on pause to spend 6 months following the MXGP season. 35 years later he published "Grand Prix Motocross: The 1972 Championship season". Pratt died before he could finish selling his masterpiece but he left behind a trail of paperwork and friends and a story that needed to be told. Pratt is one of the unsung heroes of the motorcycle industry, whose contributions are still being realized. The post Ep. #9 The Curious Life of Terry Pratt appeared first on We Went Fast.

More than a third of all supercross winners won one main event in their career. These are the quirky stories behind 10 "One Hit Wonders". PODCAST VERSION.

Ep. #8 One Hit Wonders

More than a third of all supercross winners won one main event in their career. These are the quirky stories behind 10 "One Hit Wonders". PODCAST VERSION. The post Ep. #8 One Hit Wonders appeared first on We Went Fast.

The untold story behind the day Paul Buckley messed up but captured one of the greatest photos in motocross history and Erik Kehoe shot himself to the moon. PODCAST VERSION

Ep. #7 The Moment: Paul Buckley’s Gatorback 1993 Photo

Racing, Motocross, Supercross, Mountain Bikes, Road Racing, MotoGP, Stories