In a world filled with uncertainty, one man’s incredible journey is proving that love, resilience, and the kindness of strangers can make a difference.
Mark Herbst, a 68-year-old cyclist from Orillia, is currently on a 30,000-kilometre ride around the world in memory of his late wife, Jackie.
Not only is he honouring her life, but he is also raising money for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the world’s leading cancer research and treatment facilities. Along the way, he hopes to set a Guinness World Record as the oldest person to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle.
Herbst’s adventure, which began in January in Thailand, will take him through 21 countries. He is currently in Australia, making his way through thousands of kilometres of rugged terrain, extreme weather, and long days in the saddle — all driven by a deep sense of purpose.
Jackie, Herbst’s beloved wife and best friend, was diagnosed at just 48 years old with stage 4 squamous cell cancer. An elite athlete — a CrossFit competitor, Ironman finisher, and Triathlon World Championship contender — Jackie was the picture of strength.
But as Herbst painfully recalls, “cancer doesn’t discriminate.” Despite enduring multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments, Jackie passed away in Dec. 2021.
“There’s been a big void in my life since Jackie died,” he says. “I’m still a happy guy, but something is missing. Jackie’s always with me, and I thought this is just a way of honouring her spirit, her sense of life, and her desire just to enjoy things.”
Part of his mission includes spreading Jackie’s ashes across the world — placing pieces of her in places they had always dreamt of visiting together.
Herbst’s journey is no easy feat. He spends up to 11 hours a day pedalling, often camping at night and waking up to the harsh realities of extreme weather.
One of his toughest tests so far was riding through the Nullarbor Plain in Australia, where the scorching sun, relentless winds, and desolate landscape pushed him to his limits.
But amid the physical and mental challenges, Herbst has found inspiration in the kindness of strangers.
“I’ve met people who have offered me meals, water, even their homes — people who just hand me the key and say, ‘Make yourself comfortable.’ It just blows my mind,” he shares. “It really makes me believe that there’s so much good in the world.”
A particularly touching moment came when a couple approached him at a café, having already scanned his QR code to donate.
“They told me they had lost a brother to cancer and that my journey really resonated with them,” Herbst recalls. “That kind of support, from people I’ve never met, is what keeps me going.”
For Herbst, this journey isn’t just about breaking records — it’s about raising awareness for cancer research. His goal is to raise $100,000 for the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and he’s actively sharing his story to inspire others to donate.
“People look at what I’m doing and say, ‘I could never do that,’ but I don’t want them to think that way,” he says. “You don’t have to bike around the world, but push yourself — whether it’s a 5K run, learning a new language, or picking up an instrument. If we don’t challenge ourselves, we’re not really living.”
Herbst still has a long road ahead. With 6,500 kilometres completed, he has another 2,000 kilometres to go in Australia before flying to New Zealand. After that, he will pedal across North America, following Route 66 to Canada, where he expects to arrive in June.
Though he insists he won’t be dramatically changed by this journey, one thing has shifted, his openness to human connection.
“I used to be someone who never asked for help, who didn’t reach out,” he admits. “But this experience has shown me how much good there is in people. And I think that’s what I’ll take away the most.”
Those wishing to support Herbst’s ride and cancer research can follow his journey on Instagram and donate through The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre’s website.
"Don’t waste the gifts you have. One day, they’ll be gone in the blink of an eye," he said. "So get out there — do something.”