SURREY - More than 100 cyclists kicked off their season on Saturday with a two-hour spin-a-thon that raised money for the Canadian Cancer Society.

The event, held at Southridge School in South Surrey, was organized by the non-profit society Ride2Survive as a lead up to their annual 400km charity ride from Kelowna to Delta on June 23.

Riders spun for two hours on stationary bikes while watching videos, slideshows and listening to people speak about their experiences with cancer.

"It can be pretty emotional but we try and make it fun and still put in a little of why we are doing this," said Kerry Kunzli, one of the event's organizers.

The spin-a-thon was also a chance for people to remember those who have lost the fight against cancer. For Kunzli, remembering 20-year-old Surrey resident Megan McNeil, who lost her battle with cancer in 2011, is particularly important.

"Megan was really special to the ride, she came out and sang for us right after she was diagnosed, she was there every year for us and it [the ride] was actually one of the things on her bucket list," said Kunzli.

Now in its eighth year, the completely volunteer-driven Ride2Survive has raised more than $1.5 million that has gone directly to cancer research. At the end of each year riders choose where they want the money to go and it is divided up accordingly.

"If you're a rider and want it to go to pancreatic cancer and I want mine to go to breast cancer, then my donations go this way and yours go that way," said Kunzli.

None of the donated money is used for administration costs by the Ride2Survive or the Canadian Cancer Society.

To find out more about the Ride2Survive, visit www.ride2survive.ca.