Loading my bike

[B.Away]

I have a Saris Bones rack and a five-year-old Raleigh SC 30. I must use this rack as I have a spoiler on my car. I love my bike, but it weighs 32 lbs. During the past couple of years I have great difficulty lifting my bike up to load it as Bones sits rather high -- right, I'm not exactly the youngest in the crowd. Is there any kind of small, folding ramp I could use when I load and unload my bike. I know a REAL cyclist would find this unthinkable, but I like to go to trails that are some miles from my house, so I would not be showing up at REAL cycling events. I can't be the first person who has had this problem. Help! B.Away

[Tuckervill]

I have the same problem getting my kayak on top of my Element. I have to use a full-size ladder. Hubby usually does it for me (he's 6'7"), but that means I always have to have him with me!

There are plenty of folding step stools that you could keep in your car. I'd go with that.

Welcome to the forum!

Karen

[bike4ever]

I use a small Rubbermaid step stool that I purchased at Target. I use this to put my bikes up on my Honda CRV. I like this stool since it's hard plastic. I can just throw it in the back of my car without worrying if it is going to scratch up something.

http://www.rubbermaid.com/rubbermaid/product/product.jhtml?prodId=HPProd100520

I have this in white.

[Zen]

I think B is looking for something along these lines-

http://www.dogbedworks.com/dog-ramps-pet-steps-car-dog-ramps-Pet-Step.cfm

[tulip]

I have the same problem getting my kayak on top of my Element. I have to use a full-size ladder. Hubby usually does it for me (he's 6'7"), but that means I always have to have him with me!

There are plenty of folding step stools that you could keep in your car. I'd go with that.

Welcome to the forum!

Karen

Tuckervill, you need a Hullavator for your Element! Best kayak carrying system around. It comes down to the side of the car, put the kayak in, and it lifts it up to the roof.

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=10&sku=897XT

[farrellcollie]

I use a small step ladder to put bikes on my roof rack. I am 47 yrs old and also have a raliegh hybrid and it weighs about 36 lbs which does make the lift up onto the rack itself a challenge. I feel very butch when I do it. The Jamis quest is much easier.

[7rider]

I have a Saris Bones rack and a five-year-old Raleigh SC 30. I must use this rack as I have a spoiler on my car. I love my bike, but it weighs 32 lbs. During the past couple of years I have great difficulty lifting my bike up to load it as Bones sits rather high -- right, I'm not exactly the youngest in the crowd. Is there any kind of small, folding ramp I could use when I load and unload my bike. I know a REAL cyclist would find this unthinkable, but I like to go to trails that are some miles from my house, so I would not be showing up at REAL cycling events. I can't be the first person who has had this problem. Help! B.Away

Are you looking for a ramp for YOU to stand on, or...are you looking for a ramp to wheel your bike up and closer to the rack??

If the latter is the case...maybe one of those dog ramps that ZenC. pointed out, ramped up onto a footstool as Bike4Ever pointed out, set up perpendicular to the back of your car. Roll the bike up the ramp and ... well, I don't know if that would work....or even what you're looking for....

[Bad JuJu]

I hope this doesn't sound flippant, but maybe while you're looking for a way to load your bike more easily, you could also try doing some biceps curls with dumbbells? I'm no spring chicken myself, but I know that all sorts of everyday tasks are easier when I'm going to the gym regularly. But you don't need to go to the gym to improve your upper-body strength a bit.

I know this isn't a quick solution--maybe not a solution at all, depending on your individual situation--but something to consider for the long term.

[KSH]

Hey! I have a great solution! Buy a new bike that only weighs 20 pounds. Problem solved! ;)

Just joking around. The other ladies had great advice though.

[sundial]

Hubby usually does it for me (he's 6'7").....
6'7" ??!

KSH, lol!

B.Away, can you stow a milk crate in the vehicle to use as a step of sorts? I found it useful for the dogs to get in and out of the car. :cool:

[Zen]

Is there any kind of small, folding ramp I could use when I load and unload my bike.

She asked for a ramp.
I gave her a ramp. :o

[B.Away]

Thanks, everyone, for the input and some of your suggestions may work for me. The doggie ramp is what I had in mind except I would like to have it going across the back of the car and running up to become a flat surface. It would need to be only wide enough to accommodate the bike tire. This would bring the bike up to within a few inches of the rack and I could lift it the rest of the way. It might work if I use a step stool -- I will try it. Good advice about the weights -- I have been working out with weights for several years, but I have small arms and shoulders and cannot keep them strong enough for a high lift. It's great to hear from you -- I will let you know how (if) I work this out. More suggestions are welcome (solicited!). B.Away

[7rider]

What's the distance you need to make up?
That is...what's the difference b/t the top tube and the arms of your Saris Rack?

Also..Are you handy? Do you have anyone in your life who is handy with a drill and/or saw? You could probably make something with a few 2" by 4"s. It wouldn't have to be pretty...just useful.

But if the distance is excessive b/t the bike and the arms, you'd have to build a loooong ramp to get the bike up close to the rack (handy would come in for building joints that would fold/unfold for storage). Otherwise, you'd have to do SOME lifting.

[Tuckervill]

Tuckervill, you need a Hullavator for your Element! Best kayak carrying system around. It comes down to the side of the car, put the kayak in, and it lifts it up to the roof.

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=10&sku=897XT

I don't kayak enough to buy a special rack for it....but maybe if I had a special rack for it I'd kayak MORE! ding ding ding ding light bulb turning on above my head. lol.

Karen

[tulip]

I don't kayak enough to buy a special rack for it....but maybe if I had a special rack for it I'd kayak MORE! ding ding ding ding light bulb turning on above my head. lol.

Karen

I'd kayak more if I had a kayak!

[Zen]

I'd kayak more if I had a kayak!

:D
me too

[Bad JuJu]

Tuckervill, you need a Hullavator for your Element! Best kayak carrying system around. It comes down to the side of the car, put the kayak in, and it lifts it up to the roof.

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=10&sku=897XT
Ooh, ooh, I want that! I'm a short woman with a tall vehicle and a 50-lb. boat--I neeeeeeed a Hullavator.

Tulip, thanks for turning me on to something else to spend money on. ;)

[B.Away]

What's the distance you need to make up?
That is...what's the difference b/t the top tube and the arms of your Saris Rack?

Also..Are you handy? Do you have anyone in your life who is handy with a drill and/or saw? You could probably make something with a few 2" by 4"s. It wouldn't have to be pretty...just useful.

But if the distance is excessive b/t the bike and the arms, you'd have to build a loooong ramp to get the bike up close to the rack (handy would come in for building joints that would fold/unfold for storage). Otherwise, you'd have to do SOME lifting.

Hi, 7rider, I checked the distance I need to make up and envision a loading assist something like this: The flat surface across the back of my car should be about 55 in. long and 20 to 22 in. high. Attached or hinged from it would be a ramp to the side which would let me run my bike up on the platform (flat) and then I could easily lift it the remaining 3 to 4 in. into the bike rack. The device would need some kind of legs and the surface and ramp need to be only wide enough to accommodate the bike tire. I actually looked at steel fence posts at Menard's which have the correct width and a "trough" so the bike would not run off the rail. I would need to balance the bike -- it need not stand alone. Sounds like a project for a person with tools and some kind of skill for this kind of thing. Possibly it could be patented!! Thanks for your interest 7rider. B.Away

[B.Away]

Hey! I have a great solution! Buy a new bike that only weighs 20 pounds. Problem solved! ;)

Just joking around. The other ladies had great advice though.

I love this solution. Doubt that I can make it happen. B.Away

[7rider]

Sounds like a project for a person with tools and some kind of skill for this kind of thing. Possibly it could be patented!! Thanks for your interest 7rider. B.Away

If you come up with something, be sure to take a picture of it and show us! :D