Great news: Matteson is back.

Racing resumes Tuesday, April 8, and runs through Sept. 23. The opening evening will begin with a brief memorial for Pieter Ombregt (XXX Racing-AthletiCo), who died after a freak crash in September. Come early to participate and to queue up for paperwork.

I can’t say enough about Matteson. For new riders, the flat, .6-mile course is an effective way to learn the fundamentals of racing. For experienced riders, it’s always a fun, low-stress evening of racing, plus a welcome chance to hone skills and experiment with tactics.

Hundreds of Chicago cyclists are faster and safer for the Matteson experience, and we should all be thankful to the South Chicago Wheelmen and Ace Hardware Paint for seeing that the series continues.

USA Cycling licenses are required. And everyone saved their race numbers from last year, yes?