Caligirl if you ever come up to Ventura County we'll take you on a great ride! Believe me I don't always make those switches! Last week I did a kinda sideways back-o going up one of these but thankfully landed on my feet.

When I had my hardtail I had a quick-release seatpost and would put the seat lower for descending, but on my new bike it's an allen wrench collar so I don't move it at all. Either way it's somewhat of a hassle. Plus, I have heard it said that if you are running a carbon seatpost you should not use a quick release collar, or adjust up and down constantly, it's hard on the carbon and you can damage it by over-tightening.

Emily you might just try bringing your seat down a smidge and leaving it there. I know you're a roadie and probably have it up pretty high. I set mine so when my heel is on the pedal at the 6:00 position there is a very slight bend at the knee.

PS: In the last six months my awesome riding buddy has only crashed once-- and that was on a slimy root coming out of a creek bed!