Jeff's Big House, Winston-Salem, NC

I'm Jeff McNeal.

Thanks for visiting my "Strokin'" page.

There are a lot of links and info here that will appeal to cyclists of all types.

Now a bit about me. I'm 42 years old, single and live in Winston-Salem, NC. I am a Senior Product Designer for Tyco Electronics/AMP Incorporated. Cycling takes up quite a bit of my spare time.

As a youngster I spent a lot of time riding my spider bike with my brother and friends on trails we built in the woods around our home in Winston-Salem. When I was thirteen years old I received my first road bike- a 10 speed Sears Free Spirit! I then became a road cyclist.

My bicycle was a foundation from which a lot of my childhood and early teens was built on. I was inseparable from my bicycle. My brother, friends and I rode our bikes everywhere. We rode all over the whole world it seemed. For us, the "southside" neighborhood was our world.

In my later 20's I became highly involved with other activities and cycling became a "back-burner" activity. And, unfortunately, I quit cycling completely. About age 33 or so, I rediscovered my love for the bicycle. It was as if a switch came on. I bought a new road bike and started cycling on a very casual level. The following year, after taking my neighbor's mountain bike for a ride, I started cycling in a big way! I traded my road bike for a mountain bike.

Riding my mountain bike totally revived the reason I loved cycling. Every stroke of the pedal was an adventure. I saw things I never would have seen, heard sounds I never knew were there and noticed the the world around me. Mountain biking took me back to when I was a kid building trails in the woods. Over the next several years I became totally encapsulated with mountain biking. I read everything I could on the subject, rode different places and met a bunch of folks that were as hooked as me. Then, I decided to hit the streets again.

In 1997 I decided to purchase a new road bike. I bought a Mongoose carbon fiber road bike and it did a great job of holding the carpet down! I hardly rode it and even wondered why I bought the thing. Road biking seem to be in a downswing and it was hard to find other roadies. So, I kept mountain biking.

In the spring of 1998, I decided to do the Tour To Tanglewood benefit ride for MS. I would be able to ride my road bike and meet other "roadies". Training for this ride gave me a focus. 95 miles over two days was more mileage than I could recall having done- even as a teenager.

I did the Tour as part of a 900+ cyclist group. What a thrill it was. I was fortunate to get in some awesome paceline groups and be a part of something that totally excited me. In a paceline you're not just riding for yourself but for the group as well. Everyone has to do their part or the group suffers. Riding as a team was new to me. I was hooked!

That was in 1998. Now, I'm a cyclist. I love to ride because it is fun- on or off the road. I have a great group of cycling friends and my skills have increased an incredible amount by riding with them. Plus, you can't do without the moral support!

As for my bicycles-

For mountain biking I ride my Ventana El Fuego or My Rocky Mountain Vertex for most rides. I also own a Specialized FSR and a Schwinn. Why four bicycles? Well, each one offers certain advantages in various riding environments. Plus, I like bicycles!

For road cycling I ride a Seven Cycles Axiom Titanium that is the finest road bike I have ever sat on! It has always been my dream to own a custom built road bike and that day came in 2000. I also own a Lemond Buenos Aires. This is a super bike as well. Nothing rides like a steel frame- trust me...

Live in the Winston-Salem area? Drop me an email if you would be interested in hooking up for some "fun" cycling. I am always interested in meeting new people that enjoy getting out for a "not too serious" ride.

The magazine...

Below you will find a link to the December issue of "Our State" magazine. I was fortunate to be part of their article about "first bicycles". Plus, I got to be in their Christmas issue!

I was interviewed the summer of 2001 by my "now" good friend, Susan Comer.

About the writer- Susan Comer. Through our emails we have become good friends and keep in touch regularly. A former resident of Winston-Salem, Susan has been a great person getting to know and she is a cyclist herself.

Good reading so check it out.

Wanna see more pics?

Triad Cyclists Bulletin Board of North Carolina...

Want to keep up with the cycling scene in the triad area of North Carolina? I have created a bulletin board for local cyclists. It is called the Triad Cyclists Bulletin Board.

As a subscriber, you can post cycling info, items for sale, events- anything cycling related. And, it can be automatically sent to subscribers.

Or if you don't think you'll ever want to post anything? You can still read the messages by clicking the link above.

Ever thought about joining a club?

The Dawg Dodgers were originally a team formed to participate in the Tour to Tanglewood to raise money for multiple sclerosis. They have since become a cycling club of which I am a member. I am their Web Site Coordinator as well. The Dawg Dodgers are a group of cyclists who enjoy riding our bicycles for for fitness, fun and friendship- no matter your skill or ability level. This is a super club to be a part of and I especially invite you to check them out.

Another cycling club here in Winston-Salem of which I am a member is The Piedmont Flyers. This is the first cycling club I joined and I have made a bunch of friends through the club.If you are interested in the Piedmont Flyers, check out their web site by clicking on the Piedmont Flyers logo below.

Another club which I am a member of is the Winston-Salem Ski and Outing Club. The club was originated by a group of folks years ago with snow skiing their primary focus (originally being called the Winston-Salem Ski Club. However, the club became involved in so many other activities that it needed a "name change". I rarely ski and joined the club due to their mountain biking opportunities. But, as I said earlier, they got bunches going on. Check 'em out. There is a link to their site below too.

For any of you cyclists who would like to get involved in cycling activities in a neighboring area, I would like to suggest a club in beautiful Wilkes County called The Brushy Mountain Cyclists Club. The club has a foundation of motivated cyclists wanting to make an impact in their community. Since my family is from the area, and I visit often, I am a member of the club. They offer weekly rides and are host the RAW (Ride Around Wilkes) ride event. Visit their website from the link below.

A little farther out, maybe?

If you are like me perhaps you like to get off the beaten path of your local cycling turf. Maybe you are interested in cycling events in other areas of North Carolina or possibly Virginia? Check out the sites below for all sorts of cycling happenings that may interest you.