Saddle height and fear

[KnottedYet]

I had a fitting today, and the fitting specialist raised my seat 4 inches Ok, so I am long-legged and I know I have this mental thing about starting with my butt on the saddle...gotta get over that for my 50-year old knees sake...but I can't even touch my toes to the ground!

I LOVE my bike, she is great - and this is really the only problem I've had so far - how to deal with starting up properly without being seated. Is this a common problem?

Methinks that they did me no favors getting me started on a flat-foot frame

I'm long legged, but I can touch my toes to the ground. I don't "ankle" when I pedal, so I much prefer a saddle height that keeps my ankle neutral at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Different strokes for different folks.

However, I always start up OFF the saddle.

Pick a foot (any foot) and stick it on a pedal. When you have a gut feeling for which foot you like to put on the pedal, go outside. Practice standing on that pedal, and scooting around using the other foot to push you (not on the saddle yet, just scooting). Once you feel very comfortable scooting, practice lifting your butt onto the saddle mid-scoot using that pedal as a step.

It's a beautiful thing!

Starting on a flat-foot frame is just fine! That's the way we all learn as kids. Don't worry.

(fitter concern note: I never change a person's saddle height by a full 4 inches all at once. Can you start with 2 inches, then in a week or two go to 3 inches, then a week or two after that go to 4 inches?)