Five-and-a-half years ago Lavington school principal Matt Kean received a diagnosis he wasn't expecting.
He was diagnosed with stage three melanoma, which later was moved to stage four.
Mr Kean said he was lucky enough to undertake a two-year immunotherapy trial.
"I've had two years of that therapy and then two-and-a-half years of clear where every six-monthly scan has indicated no growth in the cancer."
Now Mr Kean is undertaking the Riverina Melanoma Ride across regional New South Wales and Victoria to raise awareness about the risk of melanoma and educate adults and children about how to prevent it.
"It's a little daunting," he said.
Eight riders will travel 1,000 kilometres over eight days with others joining at different points along the way.
The ride kicked off from Lavington today and will take participants through Wagga Wagga, Leeton, West Wyalong, Lake Cargelligo, Griffith, Jerilderie, and Yarrawonga.
Prevention is better than a cure
Mr Kean said 98 per cent of melanoma was due to the sun and he hoped his talks at primary and secondary schools would encourage students and their parents to think more about being safe in the sun.
"You're not going out in the middle of the day without a hat on, kids playing cricket aren't going out with a peaked cap on, they're going out with a broadbrim hat on."
"Just doing those intelligent things that could be life-saving."
He said many people had been touched by skin cancer and it had a huge impact on the lives of those diagnosed and their families.
"If I had my time again, I wish I never had to," Mr Kean said.
The ride will be raising money for the Melanoma Institute of Australia and Amie St Clair Melanoma Trust to continue their vital work.
"I need that research going ahead and I want kids to know the message, that if you do the right thing, you don't need the cure."
