Patch Spends Five Minutes with Laurel Habschmidt

She’s Laurel Habschmidt, president of the Oak Lawn Bike Psychos Cycling Club, a not for profit cycling club based out of Oak Lawn. As a child, Habschmidt always enjoyed recreational bicycling but really developed a passion for the sport when she reached her 40s. When she is not working as a nurse at Little Company of Mary or spending time with her three grown children Lisa, Mike, and Matt, Laurel enjoys spending time outdoors.

Oak Lawn Patch: Could you tell us a little bit about the Oak Lawn Bike Psychos?

Habschmidt: The club was organized about 30 years ago by a group of friends who loved bike riding and it quickly got a good name as a fast riding club. Now we try to meet on a weekly basis and we are starting a weekly beginners ride on Wednesdays.  Currently we have about 50 members, but our group encompasses the entire Chicago area.

Oak Lawn Patch: How did you get involved with the Oak Lawn Bike Psychos?

Habschmidt: Friends of mine invited me to ride with them and that’s when I met the people in the bike club. Everyone was so nice that I decided to join. I've been active eight years.

Oak Lawn Patch:  What is your role as president of the club?

Habschmidt: I help organize the meetings and the different bike trips we go on. 

Oak Lawn Patch:  I know the club organizes a cycling invitational each year—tell us more about that. 

Habschmidt: As a club we sponsor a ride, produce a map and a route, and then we have rest stops that we stock with food and drinks for the riders. Participants can ride up to 124 miles. It starts out in Coal City and ends in Mathiesson State Park.

Oak Lawn Patch: What is the most scenic place through which you have biked?

Habschmidt: Lexington, Kentucky. I got to ride by all the horse farms, it was beautiful

Oak Lawn Patch: If you could bike through anywhere, where would you go?

Habschmidt: I would love to ride through Hawaii, but I really want to go everywhere.

Oak Lawn Patch:  Do you have any upcoming events?

Habschmidt:  On July 23 we are hosting a Bike and Dine. We ride our bikes to different restaurants throughout the town and try different foods.

Oak Lawn Patch: Where can people go to find out more information about the Oak Lawn Bike Psychos?

Habschmidt: We have a website for anyone looking for Bike Psychos information. Our meetings are held on the first Monday of the month, March through October, at 7 p.m. at Chicago Ridge Village Hall, 10455 South Ridgeland Avenue, Chicago Ridge. We also have a Facebook page so people can find us there.