bike rack challenges

I had to buy this roof Yakima bike rack for my vehicle which was not able to accomodate any other sort of bike transport solution. I am very happy with the rack once I get the bike up there which I have to do with a step stool due to my small stature. It is a hefty bike. Is there any sort of ladder or step stool that any one recommends that can make this easier? I need one that is high enough and that can get close to the vehicle (Subaru 2005 Legacy wagon). Are there any other possibilities that I am missing? Even if I get a lighter bike, I still need the height to manuever the bike up to the roof.

Trek420 has a nice Rubbermaid 2-step stool that lets her get her bikes up to the roof of her car. It can get right up to the side of the car, and it won't scratch the car.

I can only recommend that you do NOT get the kind of step that attaches temporarily to the rear wheel of your car. I know of someone who used one of these and one time forgot to remove it before taking off in his vehicle--ouch!

I have a Subaru Outback and a Yakima roofrack (that I really like). To get the bike on the car, I leave the car's back door open, hold the bike over my head with one arm, and use the other arm to pull myself up into the doorframe so I can reach the roof. It does require the ability to maneuver the bike into the fork mount with only one hand, but it works for me and doesn't require me to carry anything extra in my car :).

I use the Rubbermaid 2 step foot ladder. I just whip it out and walk the bike up to my roof. I put bikes up on my Honda CRV which I know is taller than the Subaru. I love this stool since I can securely stand on the top with both feet.