They've spent months spinning their wheels to train for the lengthy ride.
When they weren't on their bikes, they were calling friends and soliciting strangers for donations.
Now they've finally put rubber to pavement and begun The Ride to Conquer Cancer.
Saturday morning, outside what was once the Velodome at the Olympic Stadium, thousands of cyclists headed out for a two-day, 265 kilometre trek to Quebec city.
Riders were scheduled to stop for lunch in St. Barthelemy, with the speediest cyclists reaching Trois Rivieres early in the afternoon. Stragglers, or those more concerned about seeing the sights instead of setting records, will take most of the day to arrive at the St. Joseph Seminary.
Once there riders will spend the night camping under the stars, and if they are lucky picking up a massage for their sore calf muscles.
On Sunday riders will make the final push to L'Expocite in Quebec city.
The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a fundraiser for the Jewish General Hospital Segal Cancer Centre.
