Fear is a big limiter in sports. When we go faster (ie dwnhill) it will hurt more if we crash. We feel out of control. We don't trust (ourselves, others, the trail or road, our equipment). As adults, we're taught to be in control, so releasing control in a situation like this is difficult. You're not alone in your fear of descending. That's probably the #1 skill that I teach.

In order to learn to descend correctly, you need to learn to corner first. Descending switchbacks or a curvy road is the same skill as cornering. We use counter-steering (described above). I recently participated in a mtn bike clinic with Marla Streb (yep, I'm name dropping) and she describes it as body-bike separation. In order to engage a larger contact patch on the tire, you have to lean the bike (a lot), but to do that you have to counter with your weight on the opposite side. One of the best ways to learn this is to practice on a flat field or lot. Once you feel okay on the grass, progress to dirt or gravel (still flat). Then, you have to consciously learn to do this as you descend. Eventually, it will become intuitive and you won't have to think about it.