Motorcyclists riding across the country to raise funds for prostate cancer and military families are making a pit stop in Ottawa.

The annual Motorcycle Ride for Dad is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a ride across Canada. The aim -- spreading awareness, raising money and urging people to get their prostates checked.

Over the past 10 years, Ride for Dad has raised more than $5 million for prostate cancer, the most common cancer to affect Canadian men.

The cross-Canada tour, which started in St. John's, N.L. on Aug 1, stopped in Ottawa on Sunday. After touring the capital, the motorcyclists will head to Petawawa on Tuesday.

Aiding military families

For the first time, the ride is also raising money for the Canadian Military Families Fund.

As bikers arrived in Ottawa, they paid tribute to Canada's fallen soldiers by laying poppies on the tomb of the unknown soldier at the National War Memorial on Elgin Street.

"You have to live it to understand it, what these people go through -- so much," said Maurice Baribeau, a former military member.

The month-long tour will end in Victoria on Aug. 29. Although riders are joined by their passion to spread awareness, organizers say the tour will bring them together in another way.

"I can tell you by Day 39, they're going to be family . . . family," said spokesperson Wayne Rostad.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Kristy Kirkup