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Dr. Chemen Neal of the Indiana University School of Medicine has taken her passion for cycling from a personal fitness pursuit to something deeper—a tool for meeting all sorts of people and promoting health and wellness.
An associate professor of clinical obstetrics and gynecology at IU, Neal also is a board member of the nonprofit group that runs the IU Health Momentum Indy cycling festival, which from Friday through Sunday will put on an array of bicycle races and events, including rides to pay tribute to Indianapolis native Marshall “Major” Taylor, who overcame racism to become a cycling champion more than a century ago.
Momentum Indy features events from criterium races for elite and experienced competitive cyclists to more casual rides such as the Major Taylor Gran Fondo with 14-, 30- and 62-mile routes, as well as a Major Taylor family ride.
Momentum Indy also has a women’s cycling group, Divas, that hosts weekly rides designed to welcome and mentor newbie riders.
“There’s something for everybody with fitness and you really have to help people find their thing,” said Neal, an active member of Divas as well as the Major Taylor Elite Indy Cycling Club. “I really like programs that create a lot of accessibility and that the bar of entry is low.”
For example, Neal said, on group bike rides for the Major Taylor Elite club the group ensures that they don’t leave behind new riders. The club also connects with Major Taylor cycling clubs in other cities such as Chicago.
Jennifer Cvar, founder and executive director of IU Health Momentum Indy, said Neal is passionate about sharing her love of cycling with everyone. “Chemen can be found almost any evening of the week encouraging her teammates,” she said in an email.
In many ways, Neal’s love of cycling has been a lifetime in the making.
When Neal was growing up in San Diego, her father was a cyclist and would loan people bikes and take them on rides. “It makes me feel connected to my family and my dad,” she said of cycling.
After becoming a physician, she began competing in in triathlons including completing an Ironman event (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run). After her Ironman in November 2022, she started to focus more on cycling thanks to encouragement from Karen Smartt, a local cycling advocate with the Major Taylor club and director of admissions for the IU School of Medicine.
“We cycle. We get our heart rates up. We talk about different stuff, and it’s just fun and silly sometimes,” said Neal, who also is the IU School of Medicine’s executive associate dean for institutional engagement.
“It’s a source of rejuvenation that helps me to refocus and fuel back up for the challenges that I have every day at work.”
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