Matt Staneland is fed up with sitting on the sidelines while his wife Megan has all the fun.

Two years after she completed the TransRockies race, Matt Staneland decided to take on the gruelling seven-day race, which will see him and his partner Victor Vassallo ride 600 kilometres from Fernie, B.C. to Canmore, over some of the most gruelling terrain in the Canadian Rockies.

“I was working support for her and I thought it looked like a great event,” Staneland said. “It’s seven of the most epic rides of your life, one right after another.”

Having just finished a ride from Jasper to Lake Louise, Staneland and Vassallo have been training hard since March in preparation for the seven day race that begins on August 8. During the race, they’ll be competing against some of the top riders in the world.

“A top 20 finish would be great,” Staneland said. “It’s a UCI points race this year, and the open men’s competition will be the most competitive.”

Cycling up Signal Hill, Snake Indian Falls, and up to Marmot Basin, the duo have been working on strengthening their weaknesses and improving their strengths. Staneland specializes in hills, while Vassallo is faster on the flats and downhills.

“We have a loose training schedule, combining long endurance and tempo rides,” Vassallo said.

“It’s like a part-time job, training 12 to 15 hours a week,” Staneland said.

While they admit there is an advantage to living in Jasper, there is still much training to be done.

“There are over 7,000 feet of climbing in some of the stages, and Signal is only 3,000,” Staneland said.

“We get to ride similar terrain that we’re more comfortable with than, say a team from Ontario, but you can never let your guard down. Muscle memory doesn’t equate success.”

But climbing is just one aspect of the race. Both riders must contend with a new course that will contain 75 per cent single track racing, with some pavement and logging road terrain thrown in. The cyclists can’t change bikes, and must finish within two minutes of one another.

Before the event, both riders are taking part in the 24 Hours of Adrenalin race in Canmore. They’re members of the Source for Sports team that won the race last year, and they hope to defend their title. They’ve also competed in other long distance events, and are mentally prepared for the physical toll their bodies are sure to endure. Many members of the community have been giving them advice about stretching, nutrition and mental preparation.

“My wife has been a wealth of knowledge,” Staneland said.

The two have known each other for five years, and aren’t concerned the team will break down on the course.

“With common goals comes common ground. We’re not concerned,” Staneland said.

Vasallo said he’s confident the duo could race today and finish the TransRockies. However, their training will be augmented to ensure they perform their best during race week in mid-August.

That means one big ride a week comparable to the Jasper to Lake Louise route and four other days of focused workouts.

“It will be hill repeats and intervals,” Vassallo said.

“Max out and recover. That’s what mountain biking is about,” Staneland said.

They won’t be the only Jasperites in the race. Cory Wallace will compete in the solo event, and another Jasper team will also be on the trail.