Descending Tips

Dear Phil,
I am a beginner cyclist, and I am having trouble with descending. I can climb with little difficulty, but when it comes to going back down I freeze in the curves. I weigh about 235-245 and am 6'2". The straight-a-way at 40+ mph is not an issue (I am ok with the speed). Can you please give me tips on how to take curves with more confidence?
-John

Dear John,
As a climber who started riding in Florida, I feel your pain. It's good to be cautious, though. If you're not comfortable with a descent, and you don't know what's coming up, slowing down is the right call.
Solutions: know the descents. If you know before you get a turn that there's no reason to slow down, you can be a little more brave going into it. Watch your speed and go through it a little faster each time, always taking the sharpest line you're comfortable with. If you come out of the turn and haven't used the whole road, you know you can go faster next time.

Ride with someone you trust, and follow their wheel. If they can make it through at a certain speed, so can you.

No heroes on a wet descent (unless you ride Kenda tires): conditions change how you can take a corner. If it's raining or slick, there's gravel in the road, etc., you should take it a little easier. In the long wrong, it might make sense to be a slightly uncomfortable descender with no broken bones.
-Phil