American Culture Studies Ph.D. Dissertations
Title
Women's Participation in Endurance Motorcycle Challenges
Date of Award
2013
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Department
American Culture Studies
First Advisor
Vikki Krane (Committee Chair)
Second Advisor
Ellen Berry (Committee Member)
Third Advisor
Sarah Rainey (Committee Member)
Fourth Advisor
Rebecca Mancuso
Abstract
This work examines women's participation in endurance motorcycle challenges, specifically the Hoka Hey motorcycle challenge, a multi-thousand mile turn-by-turn endurance event and lifestyle sport to raise awareness for the Lakota Sioux of Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Using ethnographic methods and creative non-fiction, the experiences of women challengers are folded between postmodern theoretical concepts. Building on work of sport, motorcycle, and feminist scholars, this work takes an interdisciplinary approach to viewing lifestyle sport. Using a feminist cultural studies lens the Hoka Hey emerges as a meaningful event, which not only empowers women but also supports gender non-conformity, builds community, creates instances of transgression, and breaks down binaries. By living a feminist ethic of care and participating in a heavily masculinized environment, women riders of the Hoka Hey challenge gender norms and stereotypes of motorcyclists. Using the Hoka Hey as a basis for understanding both motorcycling and sporting cultures, there is potential for reimagining sport in a rhizomatic model to effectively break down the hegemonic center of the sporting world.
Recommended Citation
Van Vlerah, Abagail, "Women's Participation in Endurance Motorcycle Challenges" (2013). American Culture Studies Ph.D. Dissertations. 8.
https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/acs_diss/8