Going on the Philippine Loop Adventure Tour (or Philippine Loop) is not easy, as participants have to go through eight checkpoints and six ferry terminals across the archipelago within a specified time limit. It can be done using different vehicles such as a motorcycle, a car, or a bicycle. However, one person has accomplished it on an electric unicycle (EUC).

If you’ve never heard of an EUC, it is a one-wheeled vehicle propelled by an electric motor and controlled with a gyroscope. Unlike a bicycle, which has pedals, an EUC is maneuvered by the rider shifting his weight. Leaning forward causes it to accelerate, while leaning back decelerates the vehicle.

Before embracing the one-wheeled life, Josh Cruz got into electric kick scooters (EKS) during the pandemic as a form of transportation. He also had a knack for going on long rides around Luzon. In May 2023, he was doing a Laguna loop with a friend, who rode an EUC. And Josh noticed that the one-wheeler had more range and a faster charging time than his high-end Dualtron EKS.

So he decided to give EUCs a try, getting his first one in July of that year from Unitron. Learning to ride it took him 15 hours of training, spread out across three days. Ever since Josh began riding an EKS, he had been wanting to do a Philippine loop. And he realized that an EUC was better suited for that.

While it may have a steeper learning curve, an EUC is simpler and more efficient with fewer parts and a larger wheel. Maintenance is minimal as there’s no need to refuel or change oil. There aren’t any brake pads, either, as braking is done electronically with motor resistance.

Josh’s ride of choice for the Philippine loop is a Sherman Veteran S. To imagine what it’s like, take a 20-inch wheel, slap a 3kW motor along with a 3,600Wh, 100V battery, and you get a 44kg ride with 90mm suspension that can go as far as 170km on a full charge.

Without any load, the wheel can rotate as fast as 100km/h, but with a rider, it will top out at around 80km/h. The charging time can take as long as eight hours or as short as three hours with a 15Ah fast charger. According to Josh, he got his unit for P199,000 from Unitron.

Looking at those specs, it resembles a motorcycle more than an EKS. The same could be said for Josh’s riding gear: Taichi padded pants, mid-cut Komine shoes, a riding jacket with chest, shoulder, elbow, and back pads, and a carbon-fiber LS2 helmet.

Preparation was key. Josh knew he could cover up to 300km within a day, riding from sunrise to sunset with two to three charging stops. He traveled at a cruising speed of 50km/h to maximize battery life. A variable-output charger allowed him to charge as slowly as 5Ah or as fast as 15Ah.

To be safe, he always had three alternatives in everything—accommodations, restaurants, or charging stops. An EUC lacks any form of storage, so all of his belongings were packed in a single backpack. During his downtime, he would work remotely with his laptop as he wasn’t on leave.

The most difficult of Josh’s Philippine Loop was climbing up to the highest point at Tinoc, Ifugao. Going uphill is challenging on an EUC. Not only was balancing trickier with the incline, but he also had to rest periodically so his ride didn’t overheat. Descending wasn’t straightforward, quite literally, with the sharp curves and switchbacks where he had to go slowly at 15km/h.

That wasn’t the worst part of his trip, though, as that happened during his northern Luzon leg in Baguio. A nail on the road caused a puncture. And as Josh slowed down to dismount, he lost balance and fell off his EUC. Thankfully, he wasn’t hurt as it was a low-speed accident. But with his one and only tire deflated, he couldn’t continue riding.

Despite the many benefits of an EUC, it has one weakness: You can’t fix a flat in the field. That’s because the electronics have to be dismantled before the tire can be accessed—something you can’t do without specialized tools and a controlled environment. So, Josh hailed a taxi that brought him to Burnham Park, near the Victory Liner terminal.

Throughout his journey, he kept in touch with a support group virtually. After he notified them of the flat, his friends were able to send him a replacement unit of the same model by bus. Surprisingly, the delay lasted for only a day.

To summarize, Josh registered for the Philippine loop on January 2. He departed his house in Makati and embarked on his journey from March 1 to 24. He went south first, covering southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, before stopping by his home and proceeding with northern Luzon. Not counting his side trips, he had an expected time frame of 20 riding days, but his delay made that 21 days. For reference, a motorcycle rider has a limit of 30 riding days.

The trip was a grueling test of perseverance for Josh. Yet, he felt the warmth and the hospitality nationwide. There was always someone willing to help him in every city. The most enjoyable part for him was riding in Mindanao. The place was wonderful; the roads were smooth; and commodities were cheaper than in Metro Manila. While he finally achieved his goal of accomplishing a Philippine loop, he wouldn’t do it again—preferring to do more localized tours.

Electric unicycles aren’t easy to ride. But they have good potential as personal mobility devices for those willing to learn. If someone was able to accomplish a Philippine loop on an EUC, then what reason is there to ban them on national roads in Metro Manila?