Text and photos by CESAR JOLITO III
In a city known for its MassKara Festival smiles and street energy, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, a momentum started building — one on two wheels, across dirt trails and up steep climbs.
The KambyaDos Racing Team, Bacolod’s fast-rising grassroots cycling group, turns weekend riders into champions, and local routes into launching pads for competitive dreams.
Founded quietly by a group of tennis players and cycling enthusiasts, KambyaDos isn’t backed by big sponsors or international trainers — but what they lack in resources, they make up for in raw passion and discipline.
A local force built from grit
The name “KambyaDos” is drawn from everyday cycling lingo — “kambya doso,” meaning “gear and push” — symbolizing constant motion, effort and the drive to push forward.
Their basis is simple: uphill roads and narrow trails in Barangay Granada, where young riders train alongside older mentors.
The team is composed mostly of teenage and early-20s cyclists, and now giving chances to those who are in their senior years, early-50s, many of whom juggle academics and jobs with their training.
Their bond goes beyond competition — KambyaDos operates more like a family, teaching not just technical riding, but teamwork, respect and discipline.
One of KambyaDos’ key goals is to discover and develop young cycling talent in Negros with riders who have participated in various cycling competitions on local, regional, national, and international levels.
What sets KambyaDos apart is their community approach — bikes and safety gear are often shared, veteran riders serve as coaches, and everyone contributes to preparing for race day, from fixing flats to meal prep.
It’s this shared commitment that has turned a small circle of weekend riders into a recognized presence in Bacolod’s cycling community.
Community over competition
For KambyaDos, racing isn’t just about medals.
The team regularly helps organize and participate in local races, especially during weekends where local riders across the province also partake.
The most notable weekend race of KambyaDos is their uphill challenge, where riders compete along the upland roads of Granada-Alangilan, finishing in an upland barangay in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City.
Sometimes, they also hold races amid the scenic mountain views and challenging climbs in Don Salvador Benedicto town, the summer capital of Negros.
In doing so, they’ve become role models for younger cyclists in Bacolod City and within the province with limited sports programs.
The team actively encourages the youth to stay away from vices and embrace the sport as a lifestyle and discipline.
More than anything, KambyaDos Racing Team represents a possibility — that from modest beginnings, a committed group of riders can chase national podiums, or even global ones, while uplifting each other and their communities.
As KambyaDos continues to pedal forward, one thing is clear: This is more than a cycling team — it’s a movement. A symbol of local pride, youth empowerment and the power of persistence.
In Bacolod, the future of Philippine cycling might just be shifting into second gear — KambyaDos gear./CJ, WDJ