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IMPROVED DESCENDING
I have a several recommendations for improving descending confidence.
First though, check the bike. To corner confidently you need to have between 43 and 48% of the weight of the rider plus bike on the front wheel (weigh rider plus bike, then put the bike on a trainer, get on and weight the front wheel). If the balance of the weight on the bike is outside of this range you will not corner well even with practice. If you are out of range, let me take a look at you on your bike for recommendations how to correct.
Use the drops for aggressive cornering, not the tops or hoods. If your elbows are straight, you can't corner effectively. Make sure you are able to lean low enough to bend your elbows with the saddle still comfortable. Again, if not come see me.
If your handle bars are as high or higher than your saddle, the chances of the bike being balanced well for cornering are small.
Assuming the bike is properly balanced and adjusted (or if you don't feel like messing with the balance and adjustment), practice descending corners by taking them slow enough that you feel safe and in control. Enter the corners as slowly as you need to to feel comfortable accelerating out of the corners. That way you'll be practicing to feel safe and in control.
Set up for corners by going as wide as possible and then cutting to the apex at the last possible moment (generally about one second after you feel like you should cut to the apex).
Make sure you are countersteering (weight the inside handlebar and outside pedal).
Make sure you are not replaying the bad movie. If you see yourself crashing and that scares you, you are practicing to be scared. Don't review that movie. If you find yourself reviewing it, interrupt the bad routine.
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