Thanks for ALL the replies, ladies. Such helpful information!

First of all, lowering the seat. How?? I mean, yes, I know how here in the garage, but we're talking hex wrench on the trail? Please tell me that's not the way you're doing it. Should I lower it just for the downhills or for an entire trail ride (rolling)? I can't see stopping to lower it for every descent since I am riding with a friend. I guess I need to mark the current height somehow so I can put it back up to a normal height when I want it higher.

I am trying to push my butt all the way off the back of my saddle but probably not as far as I could go if my saddle were lower. Why, though, doesn't my friend need to do that? She doesn't even push her butt 1" back! I don't think she even knows about doing that. Perhaps she's just a lot more stretched out on her bike already so that her weight is already further back...that's all I can think. My bike is definitely not too small, though; I guess it must be the geometry. She doesn't *look* that stretched out, but she doesn't endo.

FBG, that picture gives me the HEEBIE JEEBIES! I could feel my heart beat faster just looking at it. I bow down in admiration of you doing that as I don't think I could ever go down that! Up, perhaps, but not down. Fortunately, where I ride is in the woods, and I would never go off the side of a mountain; these switchbacks are not quite that steep, and there are plenty of trees to catch me (another scary thing is fearing hitting them).

Being realistic, I know I have improved somewhat, because like ima_bleeder says, I have set "mini goals" on different parts of the trail, and I have made some turns that I couldn't get the first couple of times, but there are still so many places I just can't do -- or I'm just too scared to even attempt so end up walking. I hate being a wimp, but I am. And I hate roots!!! The trails I ride are very light on rocks, but the roots are something else.

I'll keep plugging away....I'm too stubborn not to. I really appreciate all the "me toos" and suggestions. Y'all are the greatest.

Emily