It’s time once again for our autumn classic, the Fall Fling, a four-race omnium series. Riders can do just one race or as many as four, although anyone angling for the overall prizes must do at least three.

The Fling is an excellent way to get in some final licks and take advantage of any lingering summer fitness, and the beginner fields can be excellent initiations for new racers. Cat 3’s will race with the 1/2’s and 40+ fields

— all scored separately —

making for a good opportunity to experience racing at the next level.

There’s no road race this year. Instead we’ll start with a criterium Saturday on the “Pelladrome” loop that ABD has used for its Wednesday races. After a time trial Sunday, the following Saturday will be a circuit race on a 1.5-mile loop across the street. There’s no elevation to speak of at either course, but wind can be a formidable foe on the wide-open terrain. Finally the series

— and season —

will close Sunday, Oct. 3, with the 1.6-mile Wood Dale circuit course ABD used for its Memorial Day masters races.

Saturday Pella Factory Criterium ABR criterium West Chicago, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 1 hour Previous wrap-ups: 2007 I, 2007 II, 2008 I, 2008 II, 2009 I, 2009 II

Saturday, Oct. 2 DuPage Tech Park Circuit Race ABR circuit race West Chicago, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 1 hour

Sunday, Oct. 3 DuPage Tech Park Circuit Race ABR circuit race Wood Dale, Ill. Distance from Chicago: 0.5 hour