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What J.J. Hilsinger is peddling these days

No, J.J. Hilsinger isn't peddling anything just now. But the Sault Ste. Marie businessman is quite busy pedalling his Litespeed bicycle on a four-month human-powered journey through Africa, starting in Cairo and ending in Cape Town.
DonnaHilsingerDavidWalde

No, J.J. Hilsinger isn't peddling anything just now.

But the Sault Ste. Marie businessman is quite busy pedalling his Litespeed bicycle on a four-month human-powered journey through Africa, starting in Cairo and ending in Cape Town.

Medical oncologist Dr. David Walde and J.J.'s daughter Donna Hilsinger, general manager of Algoma's Water Tower Inn (both shown) were on hand at a local celebration this weekend to mark J.J.'s arrival at the midpoint of his 11,500-kilometre African odyssey.

You can see J.J. (wearing his bicycle helmet) on the screen behind them.

J.J.'s undertaking the trip to raise money for the Algoma Regional Cancer Centre and for the Stephen Lewis Foundation, dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS in Africa.

He's cycling with 33 other riders from around the world, who have so far travelled almost 5,500 kilometres and suffered one broken hip, two shoulder separations, two members struck by passing vehicles, numerous cases of gastrointestinal illness, some six falls resulting in serious road rash, even one death from a heart attack.

Hilsinger has now entered Kenya and the "meltdown" portion of his African safari.

In recent days he's crossed the equator and spent his days pedalling his way up and down extreme elevation changes on unpaved lava rock.

And his butt's been hurting.

Real bad.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: SooToday.com wishes to caution that the close-up photograph of J.J. Hilsinger contained in the banner of this linked web page may frighten small children.)




David Helwig

About the Author: David Helwig

David Helwig's journalism career spans seven decades beginning in the 1960s. His work has been recognized with national and international awards.
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