Can you mount and dismount on the left side of the bike? My husband's cycling club had a 'cross season kick-off barbeque one year and that was the first thing the club coach had everyone working on in the demo session. I suppose it's to prevent people ripping their calf muscles to shreds on the chainrings.
Cyclocross is very popular here. I see people riding mountain bikes, but most seem to have 'cross bikes.