Rowan, your cranks must be dragging on the ground! I've got 175mm cranks and seating I'd have to tip the bike at a crazy angle to keep it "upright", albeit precariously. I think it also depends on leg extension; folks who naturally ride with less extension will have an easier time reaching the ground.

We're actually good at starting on steep pitches, but this was our first time having to do so in the ultra-low gear: lesson learned. Normally, we don't stop unless we absolutely have to; the Sunday ride was in unfamiliar territory so there is the added psychological element of "when is this climb going to end?". I actually had the course in the Garmin and generally knew the length of the climb(s) (actually, only one real climb of any length), but when you're suffering a bit a tiny instrument on your handlebar is small comfort and can be hard to interpret of slow speed.