A five-man contingent of Bermudian riders produced a masterclass in endurance racing to claim a brilliant fourth-place finish at the historic 2026 24 Hours of Summer Solstice in Ontario, Canada.
Competing under the brilliant team moniker Chafing the Dream, the line-up of James Holloway, Hans Hirschi, Craig Ferguson, Ian Port, and Curtis Mitchell proudly flew the island’s flag at the Albion Hills Conservation Area.
Lining up in the fiercely competitive Five-Person Age Group (200–249) category, the Bermudian squad battled fatigue, technical terrain, and the clock to conquer 26 laps over the grueling 24-hour duration.
They officially stopped the clock at an impressive 24 hours, 43 minutes, and 36 seconds, matching the continent's elite wheel-for-wheel to finish fourth out of 23 elite teams in their division.
The 24 Hours of Summer Solstice stands as North America's largest 24-hour mountain bike festival, widely regarded as one of the premier endurance events on the global cycling calendar.
Attracting thousands of solo competitors and relay teams from across Canada and the United States, the massive 1,200-acre wilderness layout offers the ultimate test of mechanical durability and human engine power.
For the five traveling Bermudians, navigating the relentless elevation changes and demanding singletrack through the Canadian night provided the perfect stage to secure a resounding international result.
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