Mark Knowles was never your average lycra-wearing cyclist, nor did he set out to be a community activist. When he heard about the Great Cycle Challenge (GCC), and the 79,000 riders raising funds for children with cancer via the Children’s Medical Research Institute, his simple thought was, “Win-win. Maybe I’ll get a little healthier and help other people while I’m at it.”

Over 3,000 kilometres and $14,000 raised later, if you ask Mark whether he’s an “active activist” his response is succinct. “Nah.”

Mark says he’s helping out where he can, organising group rides like the one that took place last Sunday around Lake Burley Griffin. He and his peloton wearing their pop art GCC jerseys are a familiar sight to those who frequent the shared path, raising awareness for the cause.

“You can take it more seriously, or you can do it from your loungeroom. There’s a lady in a nursing home who raised $1000 pedalling on her spin bike.”

Mark has raised nearly $4,000 this year alone. He says the real heroes are his family, friends, and workmates who continue to sponsor him. “I just can’t thank them enough.”

This year his daughter Ashley is electing to join him on the trail, while three months pregnant with Mark’s first grandchild.

This fresh motivation is inspired, sadly, by Mark’s own battle with bowel cancer, then liver cancer.

“You fight it with you family. You realise what’s important to you and grow to appreciate your family and friends,” Mark said.

“When I started doing the Great Cycle Challenge, I had no connection to cancer, but now it’s personal,’’ he said.

“Now that I’ve had my own bout with cancer, I can see how much it impacts your life. I can’t imagine how much worse it must be for children.

“My first grandchild is coming along soon, and I’m hoping the research done today will help kids like them in the future.

“I’ve had a childhood. I enjoyed it without any disease or complications. I want all children to have that experience, not have to put up with cancer and treatments, pokes and prods and isolation. Some of these kids still come out with a smile on their face. Let’s end the suffering.”

An influencer in the community, whether he admits it or not, Mark has managed to create positive ripples from his diagnosis.

“When you turn 50, you tend to get given a bowel cancer screening kit. A bunch of my friends had those kits just sitting in their bathrooms. After my diagnosis, I was able to influence them to finally crack them out and get tested.”

Mark has been invited to the Children’s Medical Research Institute in Sydney for a tour of everything he’s cycled for, but unfortunately could not go due to lockdowns. He still hopes to see it one day.
For now, he’s focusing on going the extra mile (literally) now that restrictions have eased.

“With Canberra being in lockdown, we’re really excited to come out swinging and ride a few more kilometres.”

Mark has one simple goal on his mind: “Raise money, cure cancer”.

“We have no idea what the impact will be of what we’re doing today, but hopefully we’re paying it forward, towards a cure.”

If you want to participate in the Australia-wide Great Cycle Challenge or donate, visit greatcyclechallenge.com.au

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