Coastal Hearing owner Adrian Dowling has completed an extraordinary ultra-distance cycling challenge through Wales and around Ireland, raising money and awareness for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
Adrian set off from Conwy on 12 July to take part in the 2026 Pan Celtic Ultra, an unsupported endurance event designed to test riders physically and mentally across some of the most demanding landscapes in the Celtic nations.
The route took Adrian along the North Wales coast and across Anglesey before the ferry crossing from Holyhead to Dublin. From there, he tackled a spectacular circuit of Ireland, including the Mourne Mountains, the Antrim Coast, Donegal, Connemara, the Midlands and the Wicklow Mountains.
After returning to Wales, the final stretch took him back across Anglesey and through the foothills of Eryri before a last demanding climb over Sychnant Pass and the finish in Conwy.
In total, Adrian spent nearly nine days on the road, completing the challenge in 8 days, 14 hours and 41 minutes. The route covered approximately 1,000 miles and included more than 45,000 feet of climbing—an incredible achievement requiring determination, resilience and many hours in the saddle.
A challenge with a meaningful purpose
Adrian took on the Pan Celtic Ultra alongside his friend and fellow cyclist Danny White co-owner of Corna Storr Coffee House in Rhos on Sea, with the pair using the challenge to support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People.
As the owner of Coastal Hearing in Rhos-on-Sea, Adrian sees every day how hearing loss can affect confidence, communication and independence. Supporting a charity that helps people living with deafness and hearing loss therefore felt like a natural and important choice.
Hearing dogs are specially trained to alert people to important and potentially life-saving sounds, including smoke alarms, doorbells, alarm clocks and a baby’s cry. They also provide companionship, reassurance and emotional support, helping people reconnect with their families, friends and communities.
The cause is particularly close to Adrian’s heart because it combines two things he cares deeply about: improving the lives of people with hearing loss and the remarkable bond between people and dogs.
Strength, determination and plenty of preparation
The Pan Celtic Ultra is a self-supported event. Riders must navigate the route, carry their own equipment, find food and accommodation, manage rest and deal with mechanical problems along the way.
Long days, limited sleep, difficult climbs and constantly changing weather all form part of the experience. Completing the event demanded months of training and preparation, along with the determination to keep moving when both body and mind were telling Adrian to stop.
Everyone at Coastal Hearing is incredibly proud of Adrian’s achievement and grateful to the customers, friends, family members and members of the North Wales community who followed his progress and supported the fundraising campaign.
There is still time to support Adrian
Adrian may have crossed the finish line, but the opportunity to support Hearing Dogs for Deaf People remains open. Every donation helps the charity train and support life-changing hearing dogs, giving people living with hearing loss greater confidence, connection, companionship and independence.
You can read more about the challenge and make a donation through Adrian and Danny’s JustGiving page.
Congratulations, Adrian—an outstanding achievement for a wonderful cause.
