The Definitive Guide to Celebrating Bicycle Day 2025

Bicycle Day is an annual celebration, falling on April 19th, that honors the first ever intentional LSD experience. This maiden trip was undertaken by the man who discovered it — Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann. This fateful day in 1943 soon kick-started a fascinating field of research, as well as a societal and cultural exploration, that continues to this day. 

Hvem var Albert Hofmann?

Albert Hofmann var en schweizisk kemiker, der er bedst kendt som "faderen" til lysergsyrediethylamid, som selv er bedst kendt som LSD. Han udførte banebrydende arbejde om LSD's egenskaber samt andre psykedeliske stoffer, såsom psilocybin fra magiske svampe. Hans forskning har bidraget til at fremme forståelsen af den menneskelige bevidsthed og har haft indflydelse på områderne neurovidenskab, farmakologi og psykologi. Den var også katalysator for den verdensomspændende interesse for psykedeliske stoffer. 

Hvad er LSD?

Lysergic acid diethylamide, is a psychedelic substance synthesized from a fungus called ergot. It is renowned for its ability to cause profound changes in perception, thought patterns, and mood. It is categorized as a hallucinogen due to the trippy visual effects it can induce. However, these effects can vary based on dosage, setting, and the individual user. 

Hvad er problemet med ergot?

Ergot is a type of fungus that grows on grains such as rye. Its effects, both medicinal and toxic, have been registreret gennem historien. Ergot alkaloids harbor potent psychoactive and vasoconstrictive properties, which is the reason that the fungus has been both utilized and feared since time immemorial. These compounds occur naturally within the fungus. 

It’s first recorded use is from the Middle Ages, but there are numerous hints of its use in earlier history, such as the suggestion that ergot was part of the secret psychoactive concoction kykeon som de gamle grækere drak i løbet af den Eleusinske mysterier. However, more often than not, ergot was accidentally ingested, as it grew on grains used to make bread — a staple food throughout much of human history. This could cause symptoms ranging from nausea, to gangrene, to death. 

Albert Hofmann was busy studying the medicinal potential of these ergot alkaloids when he first synthesized LSD in 1938. He had been tasked by Sandoz Laboratories in Switzerland to develop a stimulant for respiration and circulation. Although on first discovery LSD was not considered significant, Hofmann had a funny feeling that there was something special about the compound, which encouraged him to return to the substance in 1943. This led to the now-celebrated events of Bicycle Day. 

Hvad er virkningerne af LSD?

LSD users report experiencing changes in their perception of time, space, and logic, as well as visual and auditory hallucinations. They also experience heightened emotional sensitivity, euphoria, and introspection, sometimes leading to spiritual revelation. The effects of LSD, or the ‘trip’, can last from 6 to 12 hours, depending on various factors, such as dosage. 

LSD became synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s, its reach extending to music, fashion, art, as well as political and societal change. After being outlawed for many years, research into its benefits is back on track with studies showing that it has the potential to treat a wide-range of mental health conditions. These include depression, PTSD and anxiety. 

Hvorfor en "cykeldag"?

So, why Bicycle Day? Why not ‘LSD Day’?

Well, with LSD up until pretty recently being designated ‘dangerous’, not to mention illegal by the powers-that-be, that title probably wouldn’t have flown. So, to get past the censors, Bicycle Day cleverly refers to Hofmann’s iconic bike ride he took after ingesting LSD on April 19th, 1943. It started off as a bit of a codename — if you kender så du kender ????. Den skal ikke forveksles med Verdenscykeldagen, som finder sted den 3. juni hvert år. 

But what was so special about this infamous bike ride?

So, on April 19th, 1943 Hofmann decided to ingest 250 micrograms of LSD, having accidentally felt the effects while fiddling about with the substance a few days earlier. April 19th is observed, rather than the date a few days earlier (16. april), da det var første gang, LSD blev taget på en med vilje. 

Efter indtagelse af LSD (and not yet knowing that 250 micrograms is a very high dose!) Hofmann began to feel the effects quickly — within 40 minutes.  Thus began an unprecedented psychedelic journey. The great Albert Hofmann was first to feel the profound effects of LSD that would change the world forever. 

Later, Hofmann would describe experiencing extreme visual distortions, intense colors, and high levels of anxiety. By this point, he knew he had to return home as soon as possible. However, as it was still wartime, no cars were allowed on the road, so the humble bicycle was his only option. Accompanied by his lab assistant, Hofmann hopped onto his bike, and Bicycle Day began!

Hofmann's rejse

Under hele turen oplevede Hofmann intense psykedeliske virkninger. Hans opfattelse af verden blev ændret betydeligt, som om hans bevidsthed var blevet adskilt fra hans krop. Han rapporterede, at han følte det, som om han svævede over jorden. Alt, hvad han så, var i bevægelse, og farver og former bevægede sig og flimrede foran ham. 

Despite this sensorial overload, Hofmann managed to get home, encouraged by the simple familiarity of riding his bike. The journey took around two hours, and once home, Hofmann sought help from a doctor. Being the patient zero of LSD, he could have no idea whether what he was feeling was a threat to his life, or just a hallucination. After being reassured that his vitals were normal (bortset fra forstørrede pupiller og hans tilsyneladende forvirring) he was able to relax, and lean in, to what he was experiencing.

As the effects of the drug wore off, Hofmann began to realize LSD’s potential as a tool to explore consciousness and enhance the human experience. He felt a deep sense of connection to the world, and a profound gratitude and appreciation for his existence. He believed this wonder could be used for great things. In an interview by Marlene Dobkin de Rios in 1996 Hofmann explained;

"Gennem min LSD-oplevelse og mit nye billede af virkeligheden blev jeg opmærksom på skabelsens vidundere, naturens storslåethed og dyre- og planteriget. Jeg blev meget følsom over for, hvad der vil ske med alt dette og med os alle sammen."

Hofmanns modige udforskning af det ukendte er en del af den store slægt af videnskabsmænd og forskere, der eksperimenterer på sig selv. Hans erfaringer ville lægge grunden til en ny æra af studier, der ville få indflydelse på alle kulturområder. 

Hvornår blev cykeldagen fejret første gang?

Bicycle Day blev lanceret i 1985 af en professor ved Northern Illinois University, Dr. Thomas B. Roberts. Den begyndte som en græsrodsbegivenhed og er i årenes løb blevet mere og mere populær. Den er blevet et fristed for et bredt udsnit af mennesker med interesse for psykedeliske stoffer, udforskning af sindet, reform af narkotikapolitikken og meget mere. I dag finder festlighederne sted over hele verden. 

Hvordan kan du fejre cykeldagen? 

The Definitive Guide to Celebrating Bicycle Day 2025

Bicycle Day er en tid til at fejre arven fra Albert Hofmann samt den rige historie og spændende fremtid for LSD og psykedeliske stoffer generelt. Dette kan tage mange former - fra at deltage i fester til at lære om psykedeliske stoffers historie. Her er nogle idéer til dig!

Deltag i et cykeldagsarrangement

Kig efter arrangementer i dit lokalområde, hvor der er cykeldag. Mange byer og lokalsamfund er værter for dem, og de kan være alt fra cykelture i grupper til paneldiskussioner, foredrag, kunstinstallationer eller udstillinger og filmfremvisninger. Når du deltager i disse arrangementer, får du mulighed for at møde et fællesskab af psykedelisk indstillede mennesker med samme psykedeliske sind. Det øger også den bredere bevidsthed om, at psykedeliske stoffer er et voksende interesseområde for mange mennesker, og om vigtigheden af at fortsætte forskningen i dem. 

Arrangement til din egen cykeldag

Saml nogle venner, og hold jeres egen lille skinneben-dig for at fejre cykeldagen. I kunne se en psykedelisk film eller en dokumentarfilm om LSD's historie eller magiske svampe. Du kan holde en lille dansefest til klassisk psykedelisk musik. Sørg for at inkludere nogle af de originale Woodstock line-up i din playliste!

Go on a Bike Ride and/or Have a Picnic

Gør det, som Hofmann ikke kunne, og gå på en fornøjelig bike ride. Ideally somewhere with some pretty scenery — this year Bicycle Day falls on a sunny spring Saturday after all! Pack a picnic and cycle to a nature spot. Eat your favorite foods — you certainly don’t need to guzzle milk as Hofmann reportedly did during his first Bicycle Day trip! Just enjoy the nature around you. As Hofmann implored;

"Gå ud på engene, gå ud i haven, gå ud i skoven. Åbn dine øjne!"

Tag på en psykedelisk rejse

Nogle mennesker vælger at gøre som Hofmann ved selv at tage på et psykedelisk trip. Hvilken bedre måde kunne der være? Magiske svampe og trøfler er helt naturlige og har lignende psykedeliske virkninger som LSD. Følg vores Rejseguide for alt, hvad du har brug for at vide. 

Lær noget nyt

Psykedeliske stoffer åbner sindet og holder os nysgerrige. Hvorfor ikke bruge dagen på at lære om fortiden og fremtiden inden for psykedeliske studier? En af de bedste måder at bekæmpe misinformation om psykedeliske stoffer på er gennem uddannelse. Undersøg videnskaben, historien og fordelene ved psykedeliske stoffer, og del det med dine venner og familie. Vores blogarkiv er ikke et dårligt sted at starte! 

Støt psykedelisk forskning og interessevaretagelse

Hvorfor ikke donere til en nonprofitorganisation som f.eks. Beckley Foundation eller den tværfaglige sammenslutning for psykedeliske studier (MAPS)? På den måde støtter du direkte udviklingen af psykedelisk forskning og de positive ændringer, som den kan medføre for verden. 

Glædelig cykeldag!

This Bicycle Day, whether you trip, cycle, or simply marvel at the ingenuity of human curiosity, you are sure to have a wonderful time!