Quote Originally Posted by Catrin View Post
I see what you are saying, practice first with my brakes engaged just to get a feel for it, I will give this a shot. I think when I've tried this in the past it felt so scary-unstable that my body or brain (or both) just decided "nope"

I think if I can figure out the scootering part, then the rest of it (getting in the saddle) will come naturally.

I rode with my personal trainer and his wife Saturday, they are both avid mountain bikers. She rode in front of me, he stayed behind and coached me. With his help, and some pushing, I was able to ride all of a trail that I've not been able to ride in the past - had a mental problem with the rocky portions and the bits with a drop-off at the side. I have been chipping away at that trail, but it took riding with someone who knows how to motivate me to get me over the scary bits. Now I know I can do it

It is his strong opinion that my current starting position is really going to limit me, which is a good incentive to finally deal with it.
If you do it right, there is no need to scooter. Your weight on the front pedal is enough to get you started (if it isn't, use a smaller gear).
Even if you think of it as unstable, generally it is less so than standing on your tipitoes while sitting on your saddle.
Strange enough, steep inclines are the only place where I need to start sitting on my saddle because you need the weight on the back wheel, or it will slip.
Still it will help if you can get started out of the saddle, so don't let this discourage you, there are plenty of places where you will need this skill.