DESCENDING DEATH VALLEY AT NIGHT

100km/h at Midnight—Lezyne, in partnership with SAFA Brian push the limits, on an unprecedented night descent through Death Valley.

THE LOCATION

Death Valley, nestled in eastern California within the Mojave Desert, stands as a testament to nature's extremes. Located in Death Valley National Park, this spot marks the lowest elevation point on the continent, a scorching basin where heat shatters records and the landscape demands respect. The name says it all.

For most, venturing into Death Valley after dark is unthinkable. For SAFA Brian and Lezyne, it became the ultimate proving ground for fearless performance and unwavering trust in LED bike light tech.

Safa Brian riding his road bike at sunset in Death Valley.

Behind-the-scenes shot of videographer near Death Valley 10 Miles sign.

Road Closed sign standing in the desert of Death Valley.

Cinematic landscape view of Death Valley desert.

THE CALL

In mid-January the Lezyne team reached out to SAFA Brian with the audacious proposal of a nighttime descent through Death Valley. His enthusiasm was instant and authentic. This was no fleeting idea - it had been simmering in his thoughts, awaiting the synergy of conditions, gear, and purpose.

As conversations unfolded, the pieces locked into place: meticulous planning, a shared vision, and technology that could reliably stand up to the challenge. The stage was set.

Safa Brian inflating his bike tires with a Lezyne floor pump in hotel room.

Safa Brian holding his jersey, looking out hotel window before the ride.

Road bike mounted on car as Safa Brian heads toward Death Valley.

THE SEASON

Timing was everything, and May emerged as the ideal window. California's early summer delivers warmer air, more predictable winds, and roads that retain heat long into the night, ensuring optimal tire grip.

Cold winter nights could plummet temperatures near freezing, turning asphalt into a low-traction hazard at breakneck speeds. This was a high-stakes operation where every variable had to align. Delaying for summer wasn't optional; it was necessary.

Safa Brian watching the sunset over Death Valley desert.

Rear-view mirror shows Safa Brian waiting at dusk in Death Valley.

THE BRAND

Lezyne, a powerhouse in cycling innovation, embodies precision engineering and a passion for performance. Born from cyclists for cyclists, the brand fuses premium design with battle-tested reliability. Think ultra-bright LED lights, precision pumps, and gear built to thrive in chaos. In Death Valley, where margins for error vanish, Lezyne's products deliver unwavering dependability when it matters most.

Road bike equipped with Lezyne Mega Drive 2400+ front light on reverse mount.

Portrait of Safa Brian wearing Lezyne Helmet Drive 1200+ light.

Rear view of road bike with Lezyne LED taillight attached.

Complete overview of Safa Brian's Lezyne Light setup before death valley night descent.

the gear

For this unprecedented night descent, SAFA Brian selected his Lezyne arsenal with meticulous care. Front and center, the powerful Mega Drive 2400+, secured firmly by the LED qPRO Mount. Complementing it, the Helmet Lite Drive 1200+ provided precise line-of-sight beam direction. At the rear, the Strip Pro Ai Alert 400+ ensured he was visible from afar. While everyday road riders might skim on power for lighter setups, Death Valley's darkness left no room for shortcuts. Every lumen counts in the fight for visibility.

the descent

The ride commenced on 14 May 2025 at 23:18, with SAFA beginning his descent into the valley. Under complete darkness, the route required focus and rapid decision-making to handle turns and potential obstacles.

SAFA achieved a peak speed of 65 mph (105km/h), demonstrating remarkable control in conditions that demand absolute precision. The run highlighted the seamless integration of rider expertise and Lezyne’s technological innovation. The descent was performed incident-free, underscoring the effectiveness of preparation and reliable equipment.

Blurred night descent image of Safa Brian riding through darkness.

Bright red Lezyne rear light illuminates night descent scene.

Safa Brian riding at night, lit by Lezyne front and rear lights.

Rear-view mirror photo showing Safa Brian before night descent.

Safa Brian entering Death Valley on road bike to inspect the route.

Safa Brian scouting Death Valley roads before the ride.

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Safa Brian fully equipped with Lezyne helmet, front and rear lights.

the athlete

SAFA Brian is a world-class descender and filmmaker whose career has evolved from bike messenger roots into a recognized force in cycling's high-speed frontier. Born in South Africa, Brian spent years as a global bike courier, honing razor-sharp handling skills through urban crits, alley cat races, and velo endurance events. Now LA-based, he's transformed that foundation into record-shattering Strava KOMs and a YouTube powerhouse with over 500,000 subscribers.

For this project, he partnered with Lezyne not merely as a rider, but as co-creator. He shaped every frame to demonstrate how cutting-edge bike lights can transform low-visibility environments into arenas of calculated control - proving once again that his rare fusion of elite descending, filmmaking innovation, instinctual bike control in combination with Lezyne’s world-class cycling accessories elevates any challenge into a benchmark for the sport.

Instagram | Tiktok | Youtube | Strava

Experience the full film as SAFA Brian and Lezyne redefine what’s possible in the darkness of Death Valley. Watch the complete video here.