KUCHING: From seasoned mountain bikers to first-time competitors, the Saribas International MTB Jamboree 2026 delivered an unforgettable experience of tough climbs, muddy trails and the satisfaction of conquering Sarawak’s rugged terrain.
The seventh edition of the event saw 197 riders from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia take on the challenging 40.5-kilometre route, which tested their endurance through a mixture of technical trails, muddy sections, village roads and uneven terrain around Debak.
For Aw Juey Fang, the challenge was a completely new experience after years of focusing mainly on road cycling.
The rider from Solidarity made her MTB debut by borrowing a mountain bike and purchasing a pair of MTB shoes specifically for the event, before battling through difficult terrain to finish third in the Women’s Open (13 years and above) category.
Juey Fang clocked 2:22:40, finishing behind Jong Meiting (Individual), who placed second with 2:12:31, while Norazrin Kamsor of RKCYCLEGARAGE claimed the title with a winning time of 2:02:55.
She said switching from road cycling to mountain biking exposed her to a completely different side of the sport.
“MTB was a completely different world from road cycling. Instead of smooth roads, we rode through rocky trails, muddy sections and narrow wooden bridges,” she said.
Juey Fang said some parts of the route were so muddy that riders had to get off and push their bicycles, while slippery bridge crossings forced them to carry their bikes.
Despite the tough conditions, she was delighted to complete her first MTB race safely and secure a podium finish.
“The route was so rough and bumpy that I almost threw up my breakfast. I’m really happy that I finished the race safely and even managed to take third place,” she said.
She added that she enjoyed her experience in Saribas and hoped to return for another edition next year.
Meanwhile, 69-year-old Robert Basiuk showed that age is no barrier after completing the gruelling route for the second consecutive year.
The Kuching Bike Hash rider, who originally comes from Canada but has lived in Sarawak since 1983, competed in the Otai Legend category.
Basiuk, who has been involved in mountain biking for more than 20 years, said the Saribas event provided an opportunity for riders to experience different trails while enjoying a well-organised competition.
“It’s good fun, you come to see a different bunch of trails. This year it’s very well organised as well,” he said.
He added that he continues to train two to three times a week, covering distances between 15km and 30km during his sessions.
The 7th Saribas International MTB Jamboree 2026 was organised by the Saribas Service Centre (DUN N.35) in collaboration with the Betong Division Cycling Association (BDCA), further strengthening Debak’s position as a destination for cycling and sports tourism.
