Are you wondering whether an electric unicycle (EUC) is worth it? Well, there are many reasons to get an EUC. Here are just a few:
- Electric unicycles are great for commuting
- EUCs are environmentally friendly
- They’re lots of fun to ride!
- Provide a very versatile way to get around–you can use them for leisure, transportation, or both
- They’re relatively affordable, especially when compared to gasoline-powered modes of transportation
Whether you’re looking for a new mode of transportation or just want to have some fun, an electric unicycle is definitely worth considering!
RELATED: LOOKING FOR AN EUC? CHECK OUT THIS TRIPPY JOURNEY
In this article, I share my experience taking my all-time favorite EUC on a road trip to Washington DC. Hopefully, my experience gives you some perspective in how you can use an EUC for more than simply getting from point A to B. In the compact form factor of an electric unicycle there are worlds to explore.
The 10 Best Reasons to Ride an Electric Unicycle (EUC)
- They’re a great way to get around town without polluting the environment.
- They’re affordable (most of them), and much quieter to ride than gas-powered vehicles.
- They’re a lot of fun, and perfect for leisurely rides around town.
- Electric unicycles are very versatile, and can be used for transportation, recreation, or both.
- They’re compact and easy to store, so you can take them with you wherever you go.
- They’re perfect for riders of all skill levels, so anyone can enjoy them (*takes practice, of course!)
- Electric unicycles one of the easiest ways to explore the world around you without exerting a lot of physical effort.
- Most laws and regulations in the United States do not apply to electric unicycles (EUC), so you can ride where most regular bicycles can go.
- They’re environmentally friendly, and can help reduce your carbon footprint.
- They’re the future of micro mobility transportation, and you get to be a part of a small (but growing) community of EUC enthusiasts.
Why I Took the Veteran Sherman on a Road Trip to Washington, DC., USA
Given the freedom granted to an EUC rider to explore their locale, I took my all-time favorite electric unicycle on a road trip from my home in Connecticut to our nation’s capital: Washington, D.C. This was a business meeting I had, and realizing there would be free time (mostly at night), this was the perfect opportunity for electric powered exploration.
Of course, I have other PEV vehicles in my stable, including e-bikes, e-scooters, and other EUCs. Micro mobility vehicles are the future.
The Veteran Sherman electric unicycle is my all-time favorite because it offers great stability and power for extended rides. With a top speed of 45-50 mph and a range of up to 80-100 miles, this EUC is perfect for long rides. The Veteran Sherman is also a beefy unicycle, and I knew it could handle the rigors of the road.
The Veteran Sherman (VS) is a top-of-the-line EUC that can handle a variety of terrains and is perfect for long rides. I’ve written about my respect and admiration for this EUC in another review article. What is surprising is that my opinion has not tapered, even after more than a year of constant riding, the Sherman does not disappoint.
In fact, this wheel continues to impress me with its capabilities in all sorts of environments. Ultimately, these are the reasons I took this performance EUC with me on my road trip: The Veteran Sherman has excellent speed, record breaking range, and comfort.
Sneaking my EUC Into the Fancy Hotel
I stayed at a fairly fancy hotel (expensed through work) and wanted to stealthily take my EUC up to the room without drawing a lot of attention. Yes, these machines draw a lot of attention, which is good and bad, depending on who and where you are.
How did I get my Sherman up to my hotel room? Well, simple. It has a trolley handle that telescopes like normal carry-on luggage. Sure, it has a giant wheel in the middle of it. But, in terms of form factor, it is not all that different than a large suitcase.
Taking the VS out of my car’s front seat foot well, I turned it on. A few beeps later, it balanced itself upright. I threw my motorcycle jacket over the trolley handle to block the rear tail light, which is annoying to turn off with the top LED panel menu.
And, lo and behold, I think the Veteran Sherman was properly disguised as normal luggage. I wheeled my unicycle up to the front desk and announced my arrival. I’m sure the staff noticed and were curious, but were totally cool with it, and didn’t give me any trouble.
Other patrons didn’t notice my electric unicycle either; or at least I didn’t see any change in behavior or glances my way. If anything, I had my full face TSG helmet in a bag that stuck out a bit. But, given that I was in a fancy hotel–the kind with a doorman, marble floors, nice furniture and lighting in the lobby–it’s not like I was going to ride my EUC inside the building.
Thankfully, I’ll note that nobody share the elevator with me on the ride up. Upon close inspection it is impossible to hide any EUC. And, I’m sure some people do get busted trying to bring their e-unicycles into their rooms. But, this is a risk you take when trying to travel with your electric unicycle.
A side note: Hotel staff around these parts of my country are usually pretty understanding and accommodating when it comes to traveling with electric vehicles–I’ve done this before. 😇
Riding in Washington, DC
I’m always nervous visiting and riding my EUC in a new city, even when I know it’s friendly toward our community. There is always that fear of the unknown. What if I get lost? What if I can’t find a charger? What if the streets are too rough and my Sherman can’t handle it?
Taking all of this into account, I was very happy to have the Veteran Sherman with me as I rode around Washington, DC.
Because I was in town for a business meeting, I surrendered to the fact that I’d probably be exploring the city at night. Washington, D.C. is an interesting city to ride in on an electric unicycle.
It’s a mix of new and old; the streets are cobblestone in some areas, while other parts are completely new and built for pedestrians and bicycles.
The Veteran Sherman handled the different terrains with ease, as I cruised around the city at night. It was a great way to see all of the sights and sounds that make up Washington, DC.
I rode from the Abraham Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol Building on the other side of the Mall. In between these two landmarks, there was the World War II memorial and Vietnam Memorial sites. For the latter two, out of respect, I dismounted my EUC and walked through without my helmet on.
Lighting and Surface Conditions for EUC Riding in Washington, DC
There is a local, active EUC group in Washington, DC. If you have the opportunity to meet up with others when you visit a new city, I highly recommend you try to do so.
Upon my arrival, my apprehension that I would be riding in unknown places at night was assuaged by the fact that there were so many people (probably tourists) out and about even after sunset.
In fact, I found that most of the sidewalks, bike paths, and fairways in downtown Washington, DC are lit well at night, and it was easy enough to find my way around. There are wide avenues and it was so much fun to explore given that I could relax with the knowledge that I could “see” everything in front of me and the streets–at least in my area–were clear of debris, bad surfaces, e.g., potholes, and other emergent threats to my single wheeled vehicle.
That said, I was riding in fairly cool weather and could don most of my most protective EUC equipment. I was fortunate that the weather during my visit hovered in the same cool range (10-12C or 45-55F) without any rain. I certainly would not recommend riding your electric unicycle during a rainstorm or if the streets are really wet, unless you’re sure your EUC is water-proofed. Also, I don’t think any EUCs operate well on slick surfaces.
Yes, overall, night time riding in Washington DC was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend it to any EUC enthusiasts visiting the area. Just be sure to bring your Sherman charger with you as there are plenty of places to charge up while you’re out and about. Coffee shops, for example, are friendly for most of us. Just hook up your EUC like you would a laptop and sit down for a cup of joe while you juice up the wheel.
How Friendly is Washington DC for EUC Riders?
From what I heard before my arrival is that Washington DC is an electric unicycle (and other micro mobility) friendly city. This probably stems from it’s bicycle friendly culture.
And, just an example, it’s something I noticed immediately in my drive into the city. Within moments of entering the city limits, I saw a few people on OneWheels and EUCs commuting in the bike lanes…one or two in business attire, ties, jackets and all!
So, what does this mean for visitors?
In a nutshell, it means that if you’re in Washington DC on an electric unicycle or other micro mobility device, you’re in good company. Most of the city’s streets and paths were designed with pedestrians and cyclists in mind, so there’s usually no problem finding your way around town, even if it’s your first time.
Final Thoughts
So, I hope this little vignette of my road trip with my EUC was entertaining. As a sightseeing tool/vehicle, there’s nothing as convenient and versatile as an electric unicycle.
If you’re ever in Washington, DC, be sure to check out the sights and sounds of this historic city on your Sherman (or whatever you’re riding)!
Thanks for reading 🥳