last piece of advice. if you want to master counter-steering, work on it in a nice, big, open parking lot somewhere. ride figure-eights. and then progress to swoopy roads that are flat and eventually to slight grades. finally, move onto steeper descents. if you can master this skill on the flats, you'll find your descents are a piece of cake.

btw, when I started riding, I had a paralyzing fear of descents. in my first year or so of riding I came to love fast, straight descents. it took a few more years before I felt comfortable with switchbacks. it's possible to feel safe and in control and to keep that voice in your head singing (instead of screaming).

Lorri