By Erick Wikum

My close friend and training partner from Green Bay is a retired oncologist. I’ll always remember his pep talk to members of our cycling team concerning how to prevent skin cancer. Our training necessarily involved a significant amount of exposure to the sun. He suggested we use sunscreen, which was not surprising. What stuck in my memory was his reminder to cover the tips of our ears.

The CDC provides tips for sun safety including the following:

Shade: Seek out shade. Fortunately, much of the Little Miami Scenic Trail is tree covered, which not only reduces exposure to the sun, but also lowers the air temperature by about 10 degrees.

Clothing: Wear protective clothing such as a floppy hat or a lightweight, long-sleeve shirt or pants. Consider wearing SPF/UPF-rated clothing.

Sunglasses: Wear wrap-around sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen rated SPF 15 (some sources specify 30) or higher that filters out UVA and UVB rays. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.

Timing: Plan activities for early morning or late in the afternoon or evening. Avoid time periods when the UV index is 6 (high) or higher.
When it comes to protecting your skin, the adage “better safe than sorry” applies. Every time you head out to enjoy the out of doors this summer, consider these tips, and when applying sunscreen, don’t forget to cover the tips of your ears!

August 2024

by Erick Wikum

Cars, e-bikes, scooters, lawn mowers, yard tools, pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, phones, tablets and more—battery-powered devices are proliferating. And those using lithium-ion batteries require extra caution.  

A Maineville family recently learned a most difficult lesson concerning the charging of devices powered by lithium-ion batteries. The family’s home was engulfed in flames in the middle of the night. Were it not for some good Samaritans who happened by, lives may have been lost. As it was, the house was a complete loss, and a neighboring home was damaged. The cause of the fire? Children’s e-bikes, which were charging in the garage.

Click here for a story about the fire, and click here for another emotional follow-up story about the reunion of the family and those who saved them (both from WLWT).

These stories provide critically important guidance for us to follow. Charge a battery only under supervision and stop charging when the battery is fully charged.

Battery-powered devices, including the many e-bikes we now see on the Little Miami Scenic Trail, are here to stay. Educate yourself about charging safety and share what you know with others. Click here to access a comprehensive safety resource from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Photos: WLWT

July 2024

by Diane Wright

Dozens of people gathered on May 22 to officially open the new bridge over O’Bannon Creek, just north of Loveland. FLMSP President Dick Feldmann helped cut the ribbon, along with Loveland Mayor Kathy Bailey, Loveland City Manager Dave Kennedy, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, Caesar Creek and Little Miami State Parks Manager Tiffany DeChant-Hunt, and local Buckeye Trail section supervisor Diane Wright. Casey Marcum, who helps us so much in the Little Miami State Park, was also there. Many thanks to the many FLMSP volunteers who help keep this section of trail so beautiful! Cyclists continued to come through the trail even as the Director of ODNR was making her speech: it’s clear how highly utilized this trail is, and how much it means to the community! (photos by Diane Wright unless otherwise noted)

above: Ohio Representative Jean Schmidt (at podium) presents a proclamation to Jon Downey, Assistant Chief of Ohio State Parks and Watercraft and the original Little Miami State Park manager; and Mary Mertz, Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. (photo by Dick Feldmann)

above: Dozens gathered to celebrate the opening of the new bridge.

above: Diane Wright (FLMSP and Buckeye Trail), Mary Mertz (ODNR Director), Dick Feldmann (FLMSP President), and Tiffany DeChant Hunt (Little Miami State Park Manager).