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Women's Participation in Endurance Motorcycle Challenges

Van Vlerah, Abagail Lea

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, American Culture Studies.
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.
Vikki Krane (Committee Chair)
Ellen Berry (Committee Member)
Sarah Rainey (Committee Member)
Rebecca Mancuso (Other)
278 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Van Vlerah, A. L. (2013). Women's Participation in Endurance Motorcycle Challenges [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1382372924

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Van Vlerah, Abagail. Women's Participation in Endurance Motorcycle Challenges. 2013. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1382372924.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Van Vlerah, Abagail. "Women's Participation in Endurance Motorcycle Challenges." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1382372924

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)