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On April 19, Denver will host a new cycling event called Bicycle Day, and rest assured this isn’t your average ride.
Bicycle Day is a psychedelic holiday that commemorates the first documented trip on LSD, also known as acid. Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann was the first person to synthesize the compound, and in 1943, he took a now-famous bike ride home after dosing himself. Reports vary on whether he did so accidentally or intentionally.
It’s a celebrated point in history among psychedelic enthusiasts and has spawned bike rides in San Francisco and other cities. This year, Denver will join in with a 10-mile daytime ride that starts and ends at Meow Wolf, 1338 1st St. Later that night, the venue will throw a party and concert headlined by Reggie Watts, LP Giobbi (Dead House) and Duncan Russell. A press release promises roving performers and “over-the-top ridiculousness.”
Bicycle Day in Denver is hosted by Portal, a nonprofit that aims to destigmatize psychedelics through cultural events and activism. Fittingly, the ride acts as a fundraiser for several organizations focused on psychedelic advocacy, education and research. Those include the Heroic Hearts Project, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies (MAPS), and Fireside Project, among others.
This isn’t Portal’s first event in town. The organization has partnered with Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Meow Wolf on previous fundraising efforts, and it regularly hosts trippy events. In 2024, it threw its first late-night Bicycle Day celebration in Denver.
The city is an apt fit for this type of event because psychedelics are decriminalized and legalized in specific contexts, said Brandon Deroche, founder and executive director. He considers Colorado a leader in this space and a cultural psychedelia hub. (Portal will also be throwing events during the upcoming Psychedelic Science conference in June, he said.)
Deroche wanted to add a ride for Bicycle Day 2025 to capture the spirit of the holiday. Portal advocates for safe substance use and while he’s not actively encouraging participants to bike under the influence, Deroche “would not rule it out” given the impetus for the holiday. He hopes to welcome a wide audience, from veterans to Burning Man attendees.
“Our whole ethos is around responsible use of psychedelics,” Deroche said. “Knowing that people will likely be under the influence, (sic) our role is making it as safe as possible for everybody.”
Making the event successful is paramount since Deroche wants this to be the first of many Bicycles Day celebrations to come.
“I’d like to see this in the next couple years reaching millions of dollars (that) we’re generating for psychedelic nonprofits through this day, which is also just very fun,” he said.
The Mile High ride starts at noon and is expected to travel from Meow Wolf north to Coors Field before looping south back to the immersive art venue. Participants will be expected to bring bikes; however, Deroche hopes to partner with local companies to also offer rentals onsite.
The Bicycle Day party at Meow Wolf runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. In addition to music, the event will feature sound journeys, ecstatic dance, meditation, storytelling by Zach Leary (son of Timothy Leary) and more.
To attend, you must be at least 21 years old and a registered Portal member. Memberships cost $111 for a year, and can be purchased onsite or in advance at youaretheportal.com. No additional ticket fee will be required.
from The Denver Post https://ift.tt/14gd2sH
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