Irulan wrote "....I get a little nervous on the gravel tho."

Me too, but I think of it like riding through sand, gear down, keep a straight line. If I turn in sand/gravel it's all over. I'll feather the pedals, keep it real light but keep 'em moving. Don't know if that's right but I haven't fallen in gravel...yet...that and don't forget to breath ;-)

"yes, body posistion in high speed turns is just like skiing, or motorcycle racing. Hips to the inside, shoulders to the outside, the "edge" ( wheel, carving edge of the ski) and your shoulder counterbalanced with your "edge".. CG somewhere in the middle."

When I'm on a long windy downhill it feels like my one attempt skiing...except for the not being able to stop part. I'll watch more experienced riders and match what they do. That's where i picked up "point your inside knee where you want to go". I'm watching the TDF, that seems to be what the "big boys" do too on turns

"this is getting a little derailed from "slow obstacles" but as a skier and a cyclist I find the cross over very interesting"

I don't think so, slow turns, fast turns, it's all turning. And speaking of derailed...don't forget to take those train tracks at right angles! ;-)