With team names like "Blood, Sweat and Gears" and the "Cycling Renegades", more than 1700 people were eager to get peddling in the Ride to Conquer Cancer.

The cyclists embarked on an epic journey on Saturday and will ride nearly 200 km over 2 days.

Many of the participants have been touched by cancer in some way, through family or personal experience.

CTV News Videographer, Todd McDermott, a cancer survivor himself, is among the riders and along with his team mate, Karen Wade, raised $5260.00 for the event.

Organizers say that the ride is not a race and promises to be an unforgettable event.

"This is a recreational ride, 200 kilometers over 2 days, so for a lot of people, myself included it's a huge accomplishment," said Linda Mickelson, CEO of the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

The cyclists raised $6.9 million at the inaugural event which benefits the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

The ride is expected to wrap up around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday at the junction of Highway 22 and Highway 157.

For more information on the Ride to Conquer Cancer click here.

To donate to the Alberta cancer foundation click here.