Teen Rider | First-Time Racer | Lake Elsinore, California

Every rider remembers the moment it finally clicks. The first time balance stops feeling impossible. The first time speed feels natural instead of frightening. The first time a jump is not just watched but attempted. For Gage Friend, that moment did not arrive instantly. It arrived after frustration, time away from the wheel, and a decision to try again when quitting would have been easier.

At 15 years old, Gage made the trip from Lake Elsinore, California to Johnson Valley to line up for his first competitive electric unicycle races at King of the Hammers, stepping into the high-energy atmosphere that surrounds Amped Electric Games. What he discovered was more than a race. He found a community, a challenge, and a version of himself that only shows up when the start line drops.

Starting Without Success

Gage's journey did not begin with talent or immediate progress. It began with a Christmas gift his dad brought home a few years ago and a simple invitation to go learn together. Their first attempts took place in a parking lot, the classic starting ground for new riders. The experience was not smooth. Balance felt foreign. Progress was slow. Eventually, the wheel went into a closet and stayed there for months.

That pause turned out to be important. When Gage found the wheel again, curiosity replaced pressure. He charged it up, rolled out, and tried once more. This time he chose grass, one of the most difficult surfaces for beginners. Grass demands constant micro-adjustments and punishes hesitation. It forces commitment. That difficult decision built the foundation he needed.

Once the basics finally clicked, they clicked hard. Riding stopped feeling like a chore and started feeling like motion. What had been frustrating became fun. The closet stayed closed after that.

Early Wheels and Fast Progression

Gage's first serious wheel was an InMotion V8F, a popular entry point for riders who want a balance of reliability and accessibility. He quickly discovered that curiosity can outpace equipment. Steps were attempted. Boundaries were tested. The V8F did not survive that phase intact. Rather than discouraging him, the breakage signaled commitment. The next upgrade came quickly.

He moved to the InMotion V14, a more capable machine that allowed longer rides and more confidence at speed. Time on the wheel increased. Comfort improved. Eventually, he stepped up again to the Lynx, which became his dedicated race wheel. The progression from beginner hardware to performance-focused equipment mirrored his growing seriousness. Riding was no longer occasional. It was part of daily life.

First Competitive Electric Unicycle Race

King of the Hammers introduced Gage to organized racing formats that demanded more than casual skill. His first weekend included two distinct disciplines: Enduro and track racing. Each presented different challenges and different rewards.

Enduro placed riders into open desert terrain with navigation elements and deep sand. There were no easy lines and no forgiving sections. Riders had to read the landscape, conserve energy, and commit through uncertain stretches. The feeling was less like laps and more like exploration at speed. Seeing the flag in the distance became both a direction and a motivation.

Track racing delivered the opposite experience. Controlled sand, motocross-style features, berms, and jumps created a contained arena where precision mattered as much as bravery. The surface allowed speed without constant drift, which gave riders the confidence to push harder. For Gage, this format instantly became a favorite. The rhythm of corner, straight, jump, and repeat felt natural.

"You do things you never thought you could do," he said. "You do not even realize how fast you are going."

That combination of surprise and control is often what converts a rider into a racer.

Community and Influence

One of the most powerful parts of Gage's journey is not just what he learned, but who he influenced. Friends who once looked at his wheel with confusion began asking to try it. One friend, Axton, picked it up quickly and later received his own wheel. What began as curiosity turned into shared rides and shared progress. The ripple effect matters. Electric unicycling grows through exposure, and exposure often begins with a single rider willing to let others fall and learn beside them.

At home, family support played a central role. His dad encouraged progression and exploration, while his mom insisted on full protective gear. Helmet, pads, and preparation were not optional. That balance of enthusiasm and safety created an environment where improvement could happen without unnecessary risk.

Youth Perspective and Competitive Identity

Before electric unicycles, Gage had experimented with more traditional sports. Baseball, basketball, and school-based mountain biking introduced competition and teamwork, but none captured his attention the same way. Electric unicycling offered something different. It combined independence with community, individual skill with group momentum, and personal challenge with visible progress.

When he lined up for his first race, a shift happened. He was no longer watching others perform. He was participating. The difference between spectator and racer is psychological as much as physical. The title does not come from experience alone. It comes from showing up.

Gage finished the weekend with a Teen Overall category win, a milestone that marked his official arrival in the competitive scene. The achievement was less about dominance and more about identity. He could now say he races, not just rides.

Gear Snapshot

• Name: Gage Friend
• Age: 15
• Hometown: Lake Elsinore, California
• Race Wheel: Lynx
• Secondary Wheel: InMotion V14
• Favorite Discipline: Track racing with jumps and berms

Why His Story Matters

Gage represents a growing segment of the electric unicycle world: young riders discovering structured competition early. His story is not built on perfect beginnings or expensive equipment. It is built on persistence, family support, and the willingness to line up even when outcomes are uncertain.

For parents, his journey shows that progression can be guided responsibly. For new riders, it proves that falling is not failure. For the community, it demonstrates how quickly curiosity can become commitment. Electric unicycle racing is still defining itself, and riders like Gage are helping shape what the next decade will look like.

Experience It Yourself

Amped Electric Games brings together riders, families, and fans to experience off-road electric unicycle racing in environments that test skill, courage, and growth. Whether someone is learning on grass or lining up for a first race, the door is open.

Learn more, attend an event, or get involved at usaeuc.com.