Leigh Furlonger gears up for Fitz's Cycle Challenge in memory of her friend

But beyond the feeling of satisfaction Leigh Furlonger will have when she gets off her bike after Sunday's Pedal Power Fitz's Challenge will be a tinge of sadness when she thinks of her cyclist friend Glen who died of melanoma in January 2013.

Ms Furlonger is a seasoned Fitz's challenger, riding in the annual charity road cycling event for the past seven years and testing herself on every route from the 50km Tidbinbilla Challenge to the 255km Fitz's Extreme.

But it's the shortest of the challenges that has the most meaning for her.

"Like me he did all the Fitz's before he was sick, but the 50-kilometre Fitz was the last ride he did with me and two friends before he died," she said.

The friends will take on the 50km beginner event on Sunday in memory of Glen.

Ms Furlonger said the annual event was always a poignant time for her, especially as funds raised each year went to the Kids' Cancer Project – an Australian charity dedicated to finding cures for childhood cancers with the lowest survival rates.

"It's not a challenge for me … I do a lot of endurance riding between 150 to 200 kilometres a week," she said.

"I was introduced to bikes by my peers, I've got family and friends who are riders.

"The number one [motivation] is fitness, number two is the sociability, it's the kind of activity you can do with your friends, and the third is getting out in the country."

Although Sunday will be a day of mixed emotions for Ms Furlonger, she said the event's carnival atmosphere and "spectacular scenery" made it fun as did knowing it was in support of a worthwhile cause.

"A lot of people are focused on the riding but Pedal Power also needs volunteers, even if you're not into riding," she said.

The 26th annual Fitz's Challenge will begin at Stromlo Forest Park Place on Sunday, October 26.

Registrations are still open at: www.fitzs.com.au.