Mari’s helmet rests on top of El Rey, a quiet but powerful
reminder of the courage and determination it takes to ride a motorcycle. Women riders
like Mari are on the rise, and they’re not just participating, they’re investing more than
men in customizing and caring for their bikes, claiming their space in the motorcycling
world.
To watch the accompanying mini documentary, click here. To listen to the accompanying audio story, click here.
This photo essay follows Mari, a young woman rediscovering her independence and strength through motorcycle riding after surviving stage 4 cancer. With her bike, ElRey, a symbol of freedom and resilience, Mari learns to drive difficult roads under the guidance of her instructor, Frank. Each image captures a moment of growth, from intense concentration and fear to joy and shared laughter. This illustrates the emotional journey behind each ride.
What makes Mari’s story is not just her determination to ride, but the context behind it. Overcoming a stage 4 cancer, she now approaches life with a renewed purpose and courage. The motorcycle is more than a vehicle for her, it is a statement of survival andpower. Through her training, we see how small victories can turn into larger triumphs in life, and how learning to take control of the bike reflects her taking back control of her future.
Beyond Mari’s personal story, this essay also highlights the growing presence of women in the world of motorcycling. With nearly 1 in 5 motorcycle owners in the U.S. now being women, and those numbers increasing among younger generations, Mari’s journey is part of a larger movement. Her passion, persistence, and joy in the process represent not just her own recovery, but a shift in who gets to claim the road.
El Rey, Mari’s symbol of resilience and freedom, stands still waiting for the next ride. In the U.S., nearly 1 in 5 motorcycle owners are women, and this number keeps growing, just like Mari, many are finding strength and independence through riding.Mari listens attentively to her coach, Frank, with her helmet on, ready to take on the challenge. More and more young women are doing the same, 26% of millennial motorcycle owners are now women, showing how the new generation is reshaping the motorcycle world.At this moment, Frank shows her the route they’ll follow in today’s class. Since the path changes each time, increasing in difficulty, it’s important for Mari to know where to drive and how to make each turn.At the beginning of each class, Frank briefly reminds Mari of her past mistakes and what they learned to correct them. In this case, Frank shows her a technique that Mari still needs to master better.With determination, Mari takes on one of the most difficult curves of the class. Despite her fear, she pushes through with courage after repeating the curve a few times.The same moment shown in the previous photo, but this time focusing on Frank as he guides Mari through the curve. Without a doubt, a tense moment for both.After several runs, it’s normal for Mari to stop for a few minutes during class to listen to Frank’s corrections, and then either repeat the course or move on to a different one. In this case, once they finished talking, Mari started a new route.Jokes and laughter are never missing in Frank’s classes. For him, it’s one of the best ways to learn, while also creating a great atmosphere in class and building a stronger relationship with the student.Mari driving through the new course marked by Frank, with half of the class already behind her. The excitement shows on her face, along with her eagerness to keep learning.Frank’s perspective during the class is very important to understand many of the moments and details that take place. A photo that allows us to step into Frank’s shoes for a moment.Now in the final moments of class, Frank encourages Mari to continue with one of the last routes he mapped out. The difficulty keeps increasing, but her excitement doesn’t fade.As Mari takes one of the last laps, Frank jokes with her while correcting and motivating her to keep going.Just like Frank, Mari also jokes once the class is over. The day has come to an end, and they can both finally relax.Mari’s helmet rests on top of El Rey, a quiet but powerful reminder of the courage and determination it takes to ride a motorcycle. Women riders like Mari are on the rise, and they’re not just participating, they’re investing more than men in customizing and caring for their bikes, claiming their space in the motorcycling world.
Hugo Gonzalez Escudero is a junior student majoring in Digital Communication + Interactive Media and minoring in General Marketing. Driven by a deep passion for content creation and film, Hugo aspires to build a career that seamlessly integrates storytelling with cutting-edge digital innovation. With a strong foundation in both creative and analytical aspects of media, he aspires to collaborate with leading media producers and major film studios after graduation, contributing to the future of digital storytelling.
Hi there, I’m Adrian Morgade, a second-year Florida International University student passionate about storytelling and creating impactful content. With nearly six years of experience in journalism, media production, and high school sports photography, I bring creativity and innovation to every project.
Beyond the lens, I’m a social media marketing content producer, skilled at crafting strategies that engage and inspire audiences. Having persevered through many challenges, I pride myself on my adaptability and drive to excel in dynamic environments. Let’s connect and create something extraordinary!
Alessandra Jacobs is an aspiring Venezuelan marketer. A senior majoring Digital Media and Communications with a minor in E-marketing and Social Media. She takes interest in social media safety for newcomers to feel comfortable in this huge world. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in social media to make it a safe space for everyone to be their true selves.
