I'm a little hesitant on commenting here, because I'd rather not be ripped to shreds, but here goes:

I can understand where the OP is coming from. I'm a newbie. I hate descents. I hate riding in traffic. I really hate having a car on my tail. I'll pull over at stop signs (easiest place to do it around here) and wave cars past me because I don't want them behind me. I wouldn't feel safe in the situation described--it's either possibly get hit by a car coming from either direction, or risk the shoulder, with all manner of road debris. I read the OP as projecting her own anxieties about riding on that particular road onto the cyclist--"are you crazy? I wouldn't do that!" I know I say this in my head as I read about many of you bombing down steep mountain roads or the like. And sometimes, I find that gets translated into "I wouldn't do that, so it must be stupid." I'm working on remembering that you all have different risk tolerances than I do.

And yes, I've found myself getting annoyed at cyclists while I'm driving. I take a deep breath, and remember what I'd like drivers to do when I'm out on my bike.

That said, if I were riding down a hill that steep, I'm not sure I could negotiate my way into a turnout. It would be easier on my nerves and on my current bike-handling skills to keep going in the lane, even if there were a car on my tail. I know there's a hill in my neighborhood where it's actually safer to ride in the middle of the road for a little way, because of the steepness of the hill and the way the road curves at the bottom. I'd hope that anyone driving behind me would understand and be a little patient with me.

Here. I brought a plate of cookies. Enjoy!