Professional mountain biker Payson McElveen sits down with some of the biggest names in sports and adventure to get an inside look at what sets them apart. With no script, the casual conversations are as diverse as the guests, with topics ranging from harrowing tales of survival, to debates on current events, to everyday tips and tricks and everything in between. As Payson travels the world for his two-wheeled day job, listen in as he rubs shoulders with and learns from some of the most inspiring athletes, entrepreneurs, academics, and others as they chase and inspire greatness.
Safa Brian: Filmmaker and cyclist
Brian “Safa” Wagner has carved out a niche for himself within cycling as one of the fastest road descenders outside of the pro peloton. Through his Youtube channel, he shares films of his most nail-biting descents that see him maintaining average speeds of nearly 50mph over the course of 15-minutes. Safa started out as a bike messenger, navigating the crowded streets of cities such as London, Sydney, Glasgow, and Mexico City as fast as cycling allowed. Over time, he elevated this to an art form, and pioneered the bike messenging scene in Mexico City, where he lived for six years. He now lives in Los Angeles, producing films and pushing the limits of fast descents. In this interview, he talks about why he’s chosen to make Los Angeles his home, being passed over by potential sponsors who think his riding is too dangerous to promote, and why his new film, Pray for Speed, is a special one. He also talks about why he isn’t too fussy about bike setup, his thoughts on the UCI ban on the “super-tuck,” and why he thinks all cycling is equally dangerous.
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