I've still got <50 miles on my FG but downhills are really un-nerving for me. I recently tackled 2 fairly decent hills over the weekend on a short ride. I can decend down them just fine but I had to use my brake on both descents, mainly because I didnt want to hit the bridge full speed at the bottom and risk wiping out. I'm running 46x17 on 700x23

Here was my route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=930942

I can slow down decent on flat terrain without using the brake, but not really for emergencies. I still have yet to try to skid/skip, so I'm guessing thats how I have to stop quickly in those situations. How exactly should I learn how to skid? Is it performed only standing, only sitting, or either? Where should the pedals be positioned? The torque on the pedals is GREAT, so do I have to take all the weight off the rear to "lock" the rear tire?

Next set of questions is more towards 25+ mph. How exactly should I regulate speed going down a very long and very steep hill? I can only "fight" it up to about 16-17mph and after that I just have to give in and spin and let the bike settle out around 25-27mph. 30+mph is just suicide if I try any kind of resistance to slow down.

Am I just a noob and need more spinning experience on this thing to slow down on steep descents? Is it a very quick resistance for the forward pedal (at the moment) UP and a DOWN resistance on the rear pedal (which would last milliseconds before opposite resistance because of the cadence)?