I'm just getting back into mountain biking after a year of not riding at all and several years of not doing much of it. Last night on my ride I had a chance to be reminded about just how much I love flying down the steep stuff.

Bumpy steeps are a matter of balance and I guess that's what I enjoy about it. I ride a hard tail and I like the floating feeling of the bike on downhills, but you have to trust your equipment so you can let go and rely on your balance points. The bike will then float under you as you negotiate rocks, ruts, roots etc. You have to balance the bike with your legs that are taking the shocks, hands (no death grips keep a light feel), and the balance point of using your weight -a little more to the back for a hop over rocks on a down etc. all together.

I can't imagine trying to climb without having the advantage of pulling up with a clip or cage. If you can pick up an inexpensive cage it will make your life much easier. Same on down, to not have your foot secure will make it harder.

I get up speed and gear way down when I hit sand so that I am already peddling fast when I enter it. It's hard not to laugh at your friend though! (Hehe and even more so at your DH )

Good luck and have fun!