Mounting...

This seems like it would require the gentle downhill because you’re starting at the dead-pedal or no-torque position. Gravity would have to get you going. From here I guess you could go to the 7:00 then 8:00 and on positions and go to level ground because you have some starting torque.

By the way, dudewithasock has an interesting Journal of a new Unicycler that outlines learning progress.