An Okotoks resident is about to embark on an over 200 km bike ride in honour of those affected by cancer.

Cycling enthusiast Todd Martin will be participating in the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer for the very first time in August, a two way ride through the picturesque Rocky Mountains.

Martin shares he decided to do the ride as loved ones have been affected by the disease, and as the ride comes into it's ninth year he thought it was time to get on board.

"My family has been affected by cancer a lot in the last little bit, so it's been weighing heavily on the heart and mind, and when the fog clears you want to do something. You feel helpless during the battles that people are fighting whether they win or lose them, but now that some of the smoke has cleared in our family per say, I felt it was high time that I did something."

Martin will be racing on a team National Oilwell Varco, which has raised over $150,000.

He says his personal fundraising goal was $2,500, which he has already exceeded, adding to the excitement of the ride.

"Within a week my goal had been met, I was so humbled and overwhelmed by support from friends, and family that they were behind the cause and behind me as a rider, you can't help but be excited about this."

Martin is hoping he can make the ride an annual event, eventually inspiring his son, friends, and family to join him in the future.

He encourages everyone to check out Conquer Cancer's website and reminds Okotokians that it's not just money going to cancer research, it's going to families too.

"The support my family member received when she was going through cancer, and all the resources available to make the process as easy as possible, money goes to that as well. It's not just research, it's about the other support mechanisms that are out there, and without that families can't get through supporting people who are going through cancer."

The Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer runs Aug. 12-13.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com