Marcus Moore of Yojimbo’s Garage, the city’s preeminent source for track and fixed-gear bikes, is starting a program to get city youth on the track. With some help from the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew, Track Cats will provide instruction and guidance to boys and girls who want to race track. The team will make its Northbrook debut Friday, June 13.

I think this is fabulous. Our juniors fields aren’t exactly overflowing, and Chicago has hundreds if not thousands of young athletes who could become great cyclists if given the right resources and opportunities.

Chicago high school students interested in the program should e-mail Marcus.

UPDATE: Marcus sends this addendum: “I must give props to Nicole Kemerer who was (and still is) a major driving force, as well as Brean Shea, Alex Wilson, Sarah Miller, Lindsay Jones, Chuck Cox, Charlie Short and a number of others who have been working on this for a couple months now.  We’ve had two practices and plan on having a couple/week in the city for easy access for kids and parents.

“Yojimbo’s Track Cats will soon be an official program of West Town Bikes meaning that we can take charitable contributions to help offset costs.

“We’re still looking for interested high schoolers and adults who want to contribute. Adults can contribute financially (of course), by expressing an interest in being a guest (or guest coach) at a training session, or by helping with carpooling to the track (or transporting bikes or loaning a van). There are other volunteer roles we hope to fill as well.”