Cyclist takes on death-defying rides across San Francisco

By Sejal Mandal

A thrill-seeking cyclist has been taking on death-defying rides down sheer cliffs and treacherous staircases.

Edward Hayden, 26, an experienced mountain biker, has been honing his skills for over a decade.

Edward has turned the San Francisco's steep hills and rugged terrain into his personal playground.

But only in the last year he's started filming his jaw-dropping descents.

Helmet cam footage shows Edward tackling some of the city’s most dangerous terrain from rocky outcrops near the Golden Gate Bridge to sheer staircases and loose dirt trails.

Edward, an entrepreneur from San Francisco, California, said: “I try to find routes that are challenging, beautiful and unique.

"San Francisco has so much untapped potential for extreme riding and I like to push those boundaries.

“People watch my videos and say it looks terrifying, but in the moment I’m fully focused and I’m not thinking about the risk.

“It’s only when I watch the footage later that I realize how sketchy it actually was.”

Despite the high-risk nature of his stunts, Edward insists that his experience and instinct help him stay in control.

He also always wears a full-face helmet and body protection.

Edward said: “It might look extreme on camera but I make sure it’s never beyond 100% of my capabilities.

“I follow my instincts and if I feel this might go wrong I immediately abort."

While most of his stunts go smoothly, Edward admits he has had a few close calls.

He said: "There have been times when I’ve misjudged a descent and it’s cost me.

“Sometimes you hit a point where there’s no turning back. You have to fully commit or you’re going to fall.”