I did it, well, sort of However I DID it! Not the scootering thing, but the stair-step mounting method. Not fully, but I got most of the way there. The Gunnar is so well fitted to me and works so well for starting from the saddle that I wasn't successful with that bike. Basically because when I am standing there with my right foot on the pedal at 10:00 and left foot on the ground, the nose of my saddle is already under my butt. I am still amazed that I get proper knee angle/extension/KOPS on that bike byt I do. I did manage to "scooter" it once.

The saddle on the mountain bike is a bit higher, though not high enough. I took someone's suggestion and, while keeping my brakes firmly engaged, I put my right foot on the pedal at 10:00 or so and just jumped up - brakes still engaged so I wouldn't go anywhere. I did this a few times - which must have looked odd to anyone watching (what IS that crazy old woman doing?)

Ok, that worked so it was time to let go of the brakes...and found that the hardest thing I've ever done on my mountain bike Here I am beating the fear of the edge and rolling over rocky patches on the trail and I can't let go of the brakes to start the bike - that is just plain silly and I got mad at myself.

It took a few false starts, but was basically successful I also tried the same position but leaning the bike a bit so that my inner thigh was touching the saddle but not at a crazy angle - that worked better.

Thanks for your encouragement and I think I am on my way to beating this Practice, practice, practice!