Fear of going fast downhill

[OakLeaf]

Look where you want to go, not where you don't. If the road turns, look through the curve. Glance at the road surface several seconds ahead so you know if there's anything you need to avoid, then PICK YOUR EYES UP. Generally, lift your gaze 10 degrees higher than you're used to. Keep a soft focus, so you're aware of both threats and escape routes in 100% of your visual fields, but don't lock your gaze on anything for more than a fraction of a second, and keep your focus centered a few feet above the ground at the point you want to wind up when you're through the turn.

That's most of it. Then shift your weight back and low. Cover your brakes, feather them if you need to scrub speed, but don't ride them continuously. Practice braking on flat ground so you learn how to synchronize and modulate your brakes, understanding that most of your braking power comes from the front, but so does most of your steering control, so how much of each brake you use will depend on traction, lean angle, speed, etc. Upshift when you crest the hill and pedal occasionally during coasting to make sure you're in a gear that will let you control your bike when you start pedaling again.

I was away from cycling for more than a decade too, and returned much MORE confident on descents than I'd ever been before, because in the interim I'd learned how to properly pilot a motor vehicle, at speeds higher than I'll ever see on a bici. It's all about the gaze.