Your Messages to JJ

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Is it possible to get a copy of the tunnel photo on day 91?

The myth of global warming is nothing more than a left wing agenda.
Does your little bicycle tour prevent the eruption of volcanoes? Does it prevent CO2 being emitted by the oceans? Does it slow the Pacific Decadal Oscillation which is responsible for the minute flow of warm air in the Arctic?
By the way how much carbon was emitted into the atmosphere getting you overseas?
In the 70's we were told to be "very afraid" of a man made ice age and now it's global whining or warming.
P.S. Maybe you can go over to some of the rogue states and try to convince them to adopt the same environmental standards that cripple our Canadian economy. You would end up being just another memory.
Enjoy your trip.

Dave Selvers

Thank you so much for letting our people back home in Sault Ste. Marie to be able to share your adventures. I do know that the moneis that are being raise is for a very needy and good cause. It is so nice to see other people who care. It is our future for the young, old and middle ages that will reap with this concern. Please feel free if time is allowed to write back. It is so interesting and I love to see the smiling and happy faces as well with the photos taken. Once again God Speed and please come home safe. Take care love laugh and be merry Your soobie Barbara Lewis.

Jim,
Was at the hotel this morning and learned that you finished safely and were in Toronto. Congratulations. You are one touch sonofagun. Not sure how well the city responded overall to the challenge but I had a few inquiries about your journey from our story on the lscwc website. See you when you are back in town,
Brian

Hi Mr. Hilsinger. I have been following your progress and the end is near. What a great accomplishment for a good cause. I have made a pledge and am sticking to it. I am proud to say I work for you. Have a safe trip home.

Hello Jim,

The finish line is so close now I know you can taste the victory. Congrats on a tremendous undertaking. Many of your pictures reminded me of my own life in China for all those years...the smiling faces the open hearts, the traffic the pollution. I look forward to your post -ride event to see and hear more.

Safe journey home,
louisa

James,

Look forward to your return. In the period of time you have been able two remarkable feats, I am pleased to tell you that I have finally been able achieve one small one- I am now alledgedly bi-lingual-according to the GOC. At any rate, I will catch up with you upon your return. Take care. Tom.

Hi JJ: What you are doing is nothing short of remarkable and must require incredible determination and fitness all in support of a great cause. We are all very proud of your accomplishment.
Basil

Jim,
The quote"what man can conceive,man can achieve".......is so aptly
characterized by your slogan "YOU BET I CAN"!
Ageing bones need not atrophy. Just following you along in my mind's TV screen ....tuckers me out!
Best wishes,
Russ Hilderley
"Good News" Commentator

Hey J.J.,
Just chatted with Donna, who told me what you're up to! Holy Moly...you never disappoint, but continually amaze! I just pledged 8.86...and recognized I can probably do more. Bought a new mtn bike this summer, and I'm having fun, but the snow has now arrived, and that means it's time to put it to bed and bring out the skis.

Be safe, be well, enjoy yet another "trip of a lifetime". And I hope to see you when you get back!

All the best-
WW

Paul Pothier dropped into the store the other day...he told me of your latest adventure. It looks like you have a lot to be proud of ...all the best, stay warm and breath easy.
Best Regards, Saul and the gang from Velotique in Toronto.

I admire your goal of riding your bike across Asia and your other goal of reducing CO2 emissions. However your two goals conflict by your efforts to get back and forth from Turkey and China by probably air transport. Makes me think your not walking the talk.

Keep pushing, JJ! You are almost home, completing a great effort for a noble, critical cause!

Hey Jim ...beeen following your progress to date....Best wishes for a safe journey. Many cudos to you and your sheer energy and commitment.
You do SSM proud...

Your articles is The Sault Star are fascinating to read. I applaud your risk taking character and your courage to actually do something rather than just talking about it. We are trying to live with more consciousness of the environment and the nature around us. We wish you well,J.J. Come home safely. from Ray and Mary-Kay Stortini, Richards Landing Ontario.

I'm very envious JJ. I'm sure you are having another great adventure. I tried to pledge some CO2 but I'm running quite low anyways. I talked my wife out of flying to Cuba for a family trip.

How are those Swalbe tires holding out?

Andre

C

JJ-
WOW! Another awesome bike ride. I live in Petoskey and Jan. 12th will take off and do the Tour d-Afrique. I am a friend of Steve Biggs, and live in Petoskey myself. I really wanted to pick your brain about bikes, bike parts, etc. Is there a chance I can come up to the Sault when you return to seriously gouge you for info.?

if you can reply to one question that would be great...what type of bike are you riding and do you have any secrets gleaned from the last tour on how to make riding more comfiortable.

Thanks a million and good luck. Please say hello to another friend doing the tour and that is Marie-Josee Vasseur. She and I cross-country skied to the North Pole in 2001.

Take it easy!
Kerri

Congratulations on your dedication and desire to help the planet. We need more people like you. Keep up the good work.

Hi there JJ! I was reading your stories on Sootoday as well as your website. I currently live in the Soo not far from Sault College. I am 20 yrs old and I believe the cheapest, most environmentally friendly way to travel is by bicycle. That is my personal transportation everywhere I go and sometimes I even get there before people who drive do. I know that if enough people decide to use their own power to get where they are going, our air will be that much sweeter. Congrads on getting this far! and I know you will make it to the end!

sincerely, Julian.

You are truly an inspiration to all of us at AWTI. Good luck with rest of your route! I have changed all the light bulbs in my house and I now bike or walk, hey it's a start I guess!

Hi JJ

I was so happy to see that you have your every day journal on line. You are a very interesting writer. I'm wondering; have you ever written a book? Keep on writing, I'm happy to read where you've been, and interested to know everything that you see and do.
Congratulations on everything that you have accomplished.
Sincerely
Kerry Childs

JJ - thanks for the inspiration as always. When I was a teenager, you visited our school (CASS) and asked, "who's going to live to 200?" How's it feel to be approaching middle age? Keep going from mountaintop to mountaintop!
Chris

Hi Jim!

Thanks for the wonderful stories and the effort you are making to get us all to THINK! ......haven't had time all summer to write and encourage you on your way - but often think of you out there on that bike and send you a blessing into the ether.

Have spent a lot of time in S. Ontario this summer - where I am writing from, at my mother's house up on the Niagara Escarpment. This used to be a wonderful landscape, where the air and water were fresh and clean - it still looks good but the air has deteriorated so badly in the past five years that it is very hard to be here, knowing how fresh the air is up north at this time of year. All the older people are having trouble breathing - the miasma is rather like a haze that descends anytime the temperature is over 20C...I am sitting beside a beautiful creek under a canopy of old forest, but the air smells like car exhaust and my eyes are stinging. This valley is directly in the flight path of Toronto airport - I wonder about all the incidents of asthma and cancer in this community lately.

I hope that everyone who hears of your journey knows that it is not too late to correct our path - and clean up our act!
Thanks for being "out there" - in all your diverse ways!

I have been following the trip reports each week in the Sault Star and I'm looking forward to a slide presentation when you get back.

I will continue to talk up your trip in class and hopefully some of your fellow RPMers will sign on to save some energy at home. My own goal is to make them to tired to waste energy.

I had to laugh about the snow, it has dropped below zero here but a least it's not snowing .....yet.

Stephen

Jim,

Congratulations on yet another challenge, for which you are so well suited. You are simply amazing...and a bit over the top, but you certainly prove what man can do when determined and passionate as you certainly are. From dairy queen, to fried chicken, to community activism to running what I have always considered to be a 6 Star hotel complex, while doing your utmost to save a ski hill, you are simply amazing.

I have just retired after 46 years and continue to be amazed at your level of seeking out all life has to offer. I find my time dedicated to 6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, spread out across Los Angeles, Calgary, Guelph and Parry Sound.

I am flying up in December for a couple of days to attend the Police Service Christmas retirees luncheon. I have always wanted to come every year but apart from the Police Funeral, haven't found the time. When I hear of the aging condition of a number of those who worked for me, I don't want to leave it any longer to see them. I will look forward to a coffee with you to catch up.

Congratulations on your achievement to date and I wish you a continued safe journey to the end. I will be in Macau in early November but neither the geographic location, nor the timing is close enough, so I will wait till December to say hello personally.

Keep on pedalling and representing Sault Ste Marie !

Barry King (Ret) Chief of Police - Brockville

Hello JJ!
We are writing to you from your Hotel in the Sault. I am unsure if you are aware of our group but we are definitely aware of your cause. We are a group of 14 cyclists who are travelling from Winnipeg to Sudbury to promote environmental sustainability and social justice issues. We have had many successful performances in high schools, community centres, and farmers markets in which we use comedic theatre to help outline the choices that people can make in their daily lives, that will impact our Earth and its inhabitants.
We have been overwhelmed by the hospitality of your staff and your support of our initiatives. Thank you SOOOOO much for allowing us to stay in your beautiful hotel.
We will be helping to promote your tour while we are here in the Sault and on route to Sudbury.
We wish you all the best on your tour, and will encourage people to pledge.
Peace and Bicycle Grease!
The Otesha Project, Lake Superior Tour, 2007.

I normally would start my greeting by saying keep on trucking.

But instead I will say keep on BIKING!

Your doing us proud. We started a committee of Council on how we can reduce our CO2s as a corporation at the City of Sault Ste. Marie. Steve Butland, Pat Mick and Myself are on it. I joined it as a result of my resolution backing your trip and my overall concern for the environment. Anyways, stay tunned and see what we can come up with and if you have any ideas other than the ones on your website send them our way.

As the song says....I'll see you when you get there.

Cosmicially yours.

Terry

Dear JJ,
Thank you for the possibility even to be able to E-mail you.
I am the Sous-chef at the Kettle creek in port Stanly ofcourse.I heard today all about the experiences of Jean's little adventure.
My wife and I are marrathoners ourself and tottally get a kick out of what you and Jean are doing.It is so great to follow this event and like to ask you to keep us up to date in what ever way possible
please send our warm greetng to Jean and tell her to play tough and I know that she is going to do just fine ,For both of you we like to send you warm greetings from our dear land Canada
have a great adventure and hope to hear from either you or Jean.

theo/gerda

ps please tell Jean that the sunday buffets are just doing great
I told her so (ha-Ha)

Hi, JJ....

i just returned from 3 weeks on the east coast and read your latest article in the Sault Star.......you are amazing! I can't believe the distances you are travelling each day. My wife and I rode about 25km one day on PEI and I thought that was pretty good.

Keep pedalling!

Paul

Hello, Jim ! We had car-free day yesterday in the Soo. Good response. Over 70% of Sault College participated. Had a party at Andre's last night. Talked about you, all our best wishes...We all bet you can - every (F)aboulous inch of the way - keep you head up, may the wind be in you back = The Metzens

thanks you for send my picture.ı look some time your road abouth writte.
you can put on my picture your site.
good drive

I just wanted to say that I think what you're doing is great!!
Thats all. Good luch on your biking journey!

-drea

Hi Jim,
I see that moose shirt sure get to travel. I put up your story and header on the Lake Superior Conservancy website and hope it brings more traffic to Yourbetican and the Pembina counter. We sure could use less CO2 over the Lake Superior basin. Probably one factor in water levels declining - climate change. Be safe or as the old voyageurs would say "au large" good paddling and safe journey. You promised me a plane ride so I will trade that for a cruise in the sailboat next spring.
Brian and Janice Christie

Be Safe!!! and keep up the great work.
Best wishes from Sault Ste. Marie. You are an inspiration to all.

JJ

Wow. It's great to read your journal entries as you make this incredible journey. You are definitely a 'doer' in a world of many 'talkers'.

Best wishes from the Derrer family.

Lou

Just moved back to Sault Ste Marie to stay, Even bought a plot in the Semitary to be used only in the next thirty years. Red your efforts and wish to congratulate you for your efforts and achievements in this life. Keep on being yourself, we admire you.
jp
ps. The Sault is on the move and nice things are being done, I am certain that others are keeping you posted

JJ

I hear that you are in Baku, Congrats. I live in Baku and use to work at the Water Tower Inn, and hearing was a blast from the past.

Good Luck and whtch the traffic laws

Terry

JJ

I hear that you are in Baku, Congrats. I live in Baku and use to work at the Water Tower Inn, and hearing was a blast from the past.

Good Luck and whtch the traffic laws

Terry

Bravo!!! Keep up the great work!
I took your challenge but since I moved from the Soo to Indianapolis I guess my 4.27 tonnes doesn't count. I'm still a Canadian at heart and love what you're doing! I wish more people here were like you! I will send this to my sister in Winnipeg and ask her to do the challenge too! Take Care!

J.J.
You never cease amazing me. Good luck on your journey. I was not surprised to read that you were leading the pack at one point on this journey so far. I've challenged my co-workers here in Elliot Lake to pledge.
Take Care!
Dennis

Love your stories Saturdays in the Sault Star .

J.J. we are all very proud of you. Please know we are following your quest and we are confident you will follow it to the end. Just so you know we are listening. Myself and many of our friends are watching your progress and we are taking action in our own lives to make a difference. The pictues you are posting are outstanding and makes me wants to visit these cities. Be safe and may God keep an eye on your journey.

Keep up the great work!
Pauline Chomniak
Lock Tours Canada Boat Cruises &
Food & Beverage Supervisor Casino SSM

Hi JJ: Hope Everything is going well. We want to wish you a safe and enjoyable journey. We pray that you have no surprises along the way and arrive safely at your destination. Take care and we'll see you when you return home. Your friends, Frank Fata (Ward 5 Councillor) and family.

JJ,

With four small kids and a busy environmental engineering practice, I certainly don't have the time to do what you're doing! But I'm very appreciative that you are...as you give myself and many Sooites the opportunity to see the rest of the world without even leaving our homes! Bike safe and watch out for that traffic.

Look forward to sharing your journey, and rest assured that we will contribute to the collective carbon savings. Hey...I took my bike to work today for the very first time...a 1 km trip!!!! :-) Hopefully I'll accrue enough stamina to do what you're doing later when I do have the time.

Take care - Rob and the Sault office.
Robert

Robert Bressan, P. Eng., P.E., Associate
CONESTOGA-ROVERS & ASSOCIATES
96 White Oak Drive East
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario P6B 4J8
Telephone: (705) 254-2438
Facsimile: (705) 254-2430
Cell Phone: (705) 256-9169

E-mail: rbressan@craworld.com
Website: www.CRAworld.com

Hi Jim,

I admire what you are doing, the trip it self but also your goal.
My wife and I wish you the best and hope you can pull it off.
We will follow your adventure by reading your blog.
I wish we could make a big contribution to reduce greenhouse gasses etc. The way it is we are way ahead of most people. We built our house a few years ago with a southern exposure for large windows on that side for passive solar heat. In summer the windows are shaded by the extended roof so we do not need air conditioning. Off course we mosly use fluorescent bulbs, grow a lot of our own vegetables and compost anything possible. We only have about one bag a week of garbage. We also bought a more fuel efficient car when somebody plowed into our van and totalled it. We do miss our van at times but for only the two of us a smaller car works great most of the time.
We are always looking for ways to do our part but short of trading in our lawnmower for a goat we have reduced our footprint a fair bit.
Once again Good Luck!

Conrad H.Pinkse

testing to see where this email goes.

Hope your ride is going well - keep peddling!!

Rooting for you all the way JJ. Have pledged .75 tonnes, but I know I'll come back to pledge better than that. The Pembina Institute has a great web page informing Canadians about what they can do to take action on climate change.
http://www.pembina.org/take-action
Drink lots of water.
Joce

Best of luck on the Silk Route, we are with you all the way!
Andre and Rebecca and Philippe Beauregard

Hi JJ

Good luck with your trek. Our family has committed to a 5 tonne reduction over the next 3 years.

I hope the Sault embraces the LEED building standard. There are no Green Buildings listed here; http://www.cagbc.org/green_building_projects/leed_certified_buildings.php?id=58&press=1&draw_column=3:3:2

I find it hard to believe living in the north that we have not embraced the LEED building standard!

Also there is this story.... why wouldn't the Sault go after a dealership, surely we have entrepeneurs who could seek this out?

http://www.theaircar.com/fabrica.html

http://www.theaircar.com/tata_agreement.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmqpGZv0YT4

Good luck on your trip.

The Webb Family

Hi Mr. Hilsinger.
I worked for you at the Lone Star from 1995-2006 and as always I think you are a great motivater. I want to wish you good health and a safe ride.
I'd also like you to know that I walk the 6.6 km return trip to work each day and my daughter and I walk or ride our bikes wherever time allows rather than take our car.
We use recycled bags, we pick up trash and we use re-usable drink containers rather than buy water and coffee. I have trained everyone to turn off lights and televisions and to use our water sparingly.
I hope you continue to inspire and set an example and to use your life to motivate others.
All the best!
Kim

Just wanting to wish you all the best Jim. We are now living in Algoma Mills and are retired. I am really pleased to see that you are doing so much for the Sault Area Hospital Algoma Regional Cancer Centre as I (Bea) have cancer and know how badly a Centre is needed in Sault Ste. Marie.

Don and I always remember the good times we had years ago when we first moved to the Soo so we feel very proud to know you and call you friend.

Don and Bea

Very kind of you to help Rune Monstad, The Viking Biker, when his tire exploded. I help Rune with Public Relations across Canada. It is so wonderful that he met you, as well as all of the other Canadians!

Hi JJ, just a short note to give you my address. My wife & I retired back in Newfoundland a couple of years ago. Had I known retirement was so much fun, I would have done it twenty years ago. You should come for a visit??????????????. cheers & best wishes, Ron
"Ron's Famous Fish & Chips
Great No0rthern Road