In fairness I've improved quickly and actually it's quite a nice feeling knowing that I can go for a steady spin (by their standards) with 'decent' riders and not feel like I'm ruining their ride by causing them to wait for me all the time. I definitely think acknowledging weaknesses but still unashamedly and unapologetically giving it ones all goes a long way to making big improvements.16mph in Cornwall is not bad going at all .I did find that for all the climbing you were never really rewarded properly on the descents due to the nature of the roads blind bend etc .
Absolutely right re: descending round here - I'm less wreckless, but feel much safer, than when I started. You can still get plenty of speed but it really is a case of local knowledge helps in terms of when and where is safe to push
Cheers T