Bicycle Day '10

Join in the celebration of the 67th anniversary of Albert Hofmann's infamous bicycle ride Monday, April 19, 2010.

Observed since 1985, Bicycle Day commemorates the fateful day in 1943 when Albert Hofmann intentionally took LSD for the first time. He took what he considered then to be an effective dose (250 mics) after accidentally experiencing the effects of the drug three days prior.  With the help of his lab assistant, Hofmann asked to be escorted home, but with no car at their disposal they were forced to travel by bicycle. He described this fateful ride in the following way:

"On the way home, my condition began to assume threatening forms. Everything in my field of vision wavered and was distorted as if seen in a curved mirror. I also had the sensation of being unable to move from the spot. Nevertheless, my assistant later told me we had traveled very rapidly."

In honor of this moment in the history of psychedelics, the Facebook Group "Psychedelic Research" is encouraging those to honor the day by taking some time to take it easy; perhaps ride a bicycle and enjoy the day with friends and whatever other colors, sounds, or sensations find their way into your festivities.

Image, "Way Out Wall" by Allen McGregor on Flickr courtesy of Creative Commons Licensing.