A difficult entrance

Breezin · 23-05-2021 03:01PM #1

I have a gate into the back garden that's difficult to get into on the bike. I've cut down a tree to ease access, as it was leaning across the space.
But I'm still having problems with steps. They're not huge, but the sequence is a problem.
First I have to get up the kerb off a narrow but busy main road. Then up a step from kerb to garden. Then, amost immediately another, so the front wheel is hitting it at the same time the rear is on the previous one. It's exhausting even describing it!
Then the rear spins and I'm burning rubber and travelling sideways in a narrow space, half in, half out of the garden. Then I give up.
I tried rubber ramps but when they arrived found they were plastic junk that flew back into the traffic.
Wondering if anyone knows of any magic fix for this?

goblin59 · 23-05-2021 04:29PM

Breezin wrote: »

I have a gate into the back garden that's difficult to get into on the bike. I've cut down a tree to ease access, as it was leaning across the space.
But I'm still having problems with steps. They're not huge, but the sequence is a problem.
First I have to get up the kerb off a narrow but busy main road. Then up a step from kerb to garden. Then, amost immediately another, so the front wheel is hitting it at the same time the rear is on the previous one. It's exhausting even describing it!
Then the rear spins and I'm burning rubber and travelling sideways in a narrow space, half in, half out of the garden. Then I give up.
I tried rubber ramps but when they arrived found they were plastic junk that flew back into the traffic.
Wondering if anyone knows of any magic fix for this?

Could you take a picture?

A steel folding ramp might be your best option.
What we use sometimes when working stage crew to fire cases up steps quickly

Breezin · 23-05-2021 05:21PM

goblin59 wrote: »

Could you take a picture?

A steel folding ramp might be your best option.
What we use sometimes when working stage crew to fire cases up steps quickly

Folding ramp sounds a good idea.
Will stick up a pic tomorrow.

Max Headroom · 23-05-2021 05:47PM

Duh...whats wrong with going through the house...are you a scardy cat..........:P

Breezin · 23-05-2021 06:03PM

Max Headroom wrote: »

Duh...whats wrong with going through the house...are you a scardy cat..........:P

I love that Max Headroom is contributing to a thread on access.

House has steps up front and back. Not an option.

monty_python · 23-05-2021 06:16PM

Sounds like a great reason to buy a multistrada

con747 · 23-05-2021 06:18PM

Breezin wrote: »

Folding ramp sounds a good idea.
Will stick up a pic tomorrow.

Have a look at this type if any good to you. https://tradewest.ie/product/2-3m-folding-motorcycle-loading-ramp/

listermint · 23-05-2021 06:29PM

Why not just concrete in ramp into part of the steps. Like 25%of the step is ramp.

Breezin · 23-05-2021 06:51PM

monty_python wrote: »

Sounds like a great reason to buy a multistrada

Ah no. Things aren't that bad!

Breezin · 23-05-2021 06:54PM

con747 wrote: »

Have a look at this type if any good to you. https://tradewest.ie/product/2-3m-folding-motorcycle-loading-ramp/

I have one of those. But I need to get my feet down each side to support the bike. It's too tight to walk up.

Breezin · 23-05-2021 06:56PM

listermint wrote: »

Why not just concrete in ramp into part of the steps. Like 25%of the step is ramp.

Can't concete the first step as that would be on the public footpath and invite eejits to trip over it for compo.

con747 · 23-05-2021 07:50PM

Breezin wrote: »

I have one of those. But I need to get my feet down each side to support the bike. It's too tight to walk up.

Ok, so as was said above with the concrete but leave the step on the road as is and that should suffice no? A bag of ready mix would do the job.

zubair · 23-05-2021 11:04PM

Move house. Bosh.

Breezin · 24-05-2021 12:08PM

zubair wrote: »

Move house. Bosh.

Believe it or not, I've thought of it. Not on with SWMBO at the moment.

Max Headroom · 24-05-2021 12:29PM

pix would help us understand the issue..in my head you live in a castle.....

Jimmy Bottlehead · 24-05-2021 01:09PM

I keep seeing the title and thinking I've wandered into the Sex & Sexuality forum.

two wheels good · 24-05-2021 09:58PM

A wide ramp. Almost triple width available.
Remove or modify the internal step.
Install a winch.
Get a trail bike.

Breezin · 25-05-2021 09:59AM

Pic of said entrance to my castle.

(IMG tag not working for me... maybe permissions?)

There are actually four step-ups, including the kerb, not three, now that I look at it. As you can see, they're not high. But it's the combination of the first two in the pic that's stopping me.

Might look at wide ramps. I'm reluctant to concrete over because there's an ancient drain pipe under there, with a trap that sometimes needs attention. But I suppose if there isn't a magic wand solution, then I'll do it.

https://imgur.com/a/o7L2yiF

GBX · 25-05-2021 10:10AM

One thing id start with is keeping the steps clear of any crud/leaves. Will help with traction. Another option might be to secure some sort of thick rubber mat to one or two of the steps.

Zebbedee · 25-05-2021 12:33PM

That doesn't look too difficult at all.
Those steps arnt as high as I imagined.
As mentioned above I'd brush the loose leaves and earth away.
You could also get some 2x2 or 3x3 timber and cut them along the diagonal to make little triangulated wooden ramps.
These could be screw fixed into the corners.
Have you got a turning space at the top so you don't have to reverse the bike down?

Max Headroom · 25-05-2021 12:39PM

As above on the crud...Is it your house.?..If so i'd chamfer across the middle of each step 6 inches to get rid of the sharp edges..but deffo powerhose the crud away,,,might be all you need to do..

Breezin · 25-05-2021 01:43PM

The crud is not the problem. I wish it were. Already tried it when the whole setup is squeaky clean and dry. Yes, it's looking like concrete is the way forward -- the 6" suggestion is a good one, thanks.

mgbgt1978 · 25-05-2021 03:50PM

Instead of adding a small concrete ramp to the step at the gate, you could cut into it and create a ramp that wouldn't stick out onto the footpath.
You could do the same for the step inside the gate as well so the gate can open freely no matter where you put the ramp.

listermint · 25-05-2021 04:10PM

Take out the steps with a breaker. And put in smooth concrete. That incline appears tiny. Steps are unnecessary based on that image.

Breezin · 25-05-2021 04:15PM

listermint wrote: »

Take out the steps with a breaker. And put in smooth concrete. That incline appears tiny. Steps are unnecessary based on that image.

What's a breaker?

mgbgt1978 · 25-05-2021 06:31PM

Google Kango Hammer Hire.

Max Headroom · 25-05-2021 06:44PM

Smooth concrets...winter....rain....ice....ouch...:p

I have a sloapy paved entrance...lethal in winter...

The_Chap · 26-05-2021 06:40AM

Run a brush over width ways to finish the concrete before it’s set to provide grip

listermint · 26-05-2021 07:05AM

Max Headroom wrote: »

Smooth concrets...winter....rain....ice....ouch...:p

I have a sloapy paved entrance...lethal in winter...

Thats a drainage and lack of cleaning problem not a concrete problem

Max Headroom · 26-05-2021 12:30PM

listermint wrote: »

Thats a drainage and lack of cleaning problem not a concrete problem

OUUUU..check out the big brain on Brad......:p

Setts are always kept clean.....;)

Breezin · 04-06-2021 02:15PM

Update (or, talking to the Internet for therapy): Concrete installed and problem partially resolved.

The bike needs to go in diagonally in order to get the handlebars through. Now, if I had a straight run, it would make it up, but I haven't so I would need to cut off the bike's left peg and my own.

Need a wider gate. A brief scan of the websites yields more or less expected results... plenty of standard sizes but no one offering a custom option. If anyone knows of a good gate guy, let me know!

A gleaming workshop space awaits me and the bike if we can just get past this fuggin' obstacle! Onwards and upwards... but not sideways.

A difficult entrance

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