El Ciclo: the story behind

El Ciclo was an idea of Ramiro Sobral, born in Buenos Aires and raised in the northern Argentine city of Tucumán, with the help of his Dutch partner Annebeth Vis. Bicycles have always been Ramiro’s passion and that’s how Ramiro came up with the idea to start a bicycle shop. What started with bicycle repair and rental, grew into a true tribute to the two-wheeler. Journalist and travel author Annebeth, in turn, adores Barcelona and shares her passion for this city by managing the bicycle tours that El Ciclo offers.

Ramiro and Annebeth met each other in Barcelona in 2011. Together they opened El Ciclo in 2013, right in the city center, to share their passion for exploring Barcelona by bike. It all started with a handful of bikes, and to this day there are no more than 40 bikes. Small scale, and a personal approach stays the starting point for them. For decoration, Ramiro invented three lamps for the opening of El Ciclo, made with old bicycle parts from his workplace. Soon the first of them was sold. That’s how the project ‘Bicycles that saw the light’ came to fruition. Five years later he has made hundreds of different lamps and sold his unique items all over the world. Also, Ramiro and Annebeth are not alone anymore nowadays: in 2015 their daughter Olivia was born.

Design & recycling

In addition to the extensive lamp collection, you will also find a wide range of bicycle-related gift items and collector’s items that all revolve around the love and passion for bicycles. Those who pay close attention will discover bicycles and bicycle parts everywhere, sometimes well hidden. In the past five years, El Ciclo has become a must-visit for anyone who likes cycling or is interested in recycling (upcycling) and design.

In the store window you can also see some beautiful bamboo bicycles and inside you will also find the special bicycles from Ramiro’s own collection, such as the ‘Roulandt’, the first recumbent bike produced in series, and his extensive private collection of miniature bikes.

Are you planning to do a private bicycle tour, rent a bike or have you become very curious about Ramiro’s lamp collection and other items made from bicycle parts or made especially for cycling enthusiasts? Drop by! We would love to show you the store and workshop.

This video shows Ramiro’s participation in the local television program ‘Ja t’ho faràs’.