KUCHING: Sarawak has drawn cyclists ranging from teenagers to pensioners as a three-day cross-border ride showcases the state’s growing appeal as a cycling tourism destination.
The Borneo Cycling Odyssey 2026, organised by Indonesia’s Panthers Cycling Club, is held from Feb 9 to 11 and features a mix of cross-border and urban routes across Sarawak.
On the first day yesterday (Feb 9), 17 riders began the journey at ICQS Biawak, Aruk, before cycling along Jalan Biawak, the Pan Borneo Highway and Jalan Sempadi. The route continued through several major roads in Kuching, including Jalan Tun Abdul Rahman Yakub, Jalan Kulas, Jalan Satok and Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, before concluding at Merdeka Palace Hotel.
The opening stage combined highway stretches, rolling terrain and city roads, with a scheduled pit stop at a surau along the Pan Borneo Highway.
Today, the cyclists tackled a 30-kilometre city loop starting and ending at Merdeka Palace Hotel. The route took riders through Kuching’s city centre, heritage areas and coastal roads, including Jalan Barrack, Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Pelabuhan, Jalan Bako and the Astana.
Pit stops were made at Kompleks Satria Pertiwi Sarawak and selected roundabouts before the group crossed the Darul Hana Bridge back to the hotel.
The final leg tomorrow will see riders cycle from Merdeka Palace Hotel to the Tebedu border via the Pan Borneo Highway, passing through Serian. Scheduled pit stops include areas near Roxy Hotel and Taman Selera Puspa Indah, with the odyssey set to conclude at the border.
Over the three days, the participants are expected to cover an estimated total of 555 kilometres.
Sarawak Cycling Association (SCA) president Irawan Sudarsono, who helped guide the group, said the riders were enthusiastic and committed, with participants ranging in age from teens to pensioners.
“Most of them are regular riders, and you can see from their speed and fitness that they are very committed.
“The goal is still the same,it’s more cycling tourism. We have seen this done annually by different cycling groups, and under my stewardship, this is the second edition I have been involved with,” he told Sarawak Tribune.
Supported by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneurial Development (MYSED), the odyssey aims to combine adventure, tourism promotion, and cross-border camaraderie among cycling enthusiasts.
