El Ciclo was the brainchild of Ramiro Sobral, who was born in Buenos Aires and raised in the northern Argentine city of Tucumán, and his Dutch partner, journalist Annebeth Vis. Bicycles have always been Ramiro’s passion, and that’s where the idea to start his own bike shop began. What started as a small venture offering bike repairs and rentals has since evolved into a true homage to the two-wheeler. Annebeth, a true lover of Barcelona, shares her passion for the city by organizing the bike tours that El Ciclo now offers.

Ramiro and Annebeth met in Barcelona in 2011, and together, they opened El Ciclo in the heart of the city in 2013 to share their love for exploring Barcelona by bike. They started with just ten bikes, and today the fleet is still kept small, at under 50. This intimate, personal approach remains at the core of their philosophy. To decorate the shop for its grand opening, Ramiro created three lamps made from old bike parts he had in his workshop. The first lamp sold almost immediately, sparking the project he lovingly calls “bikes that saw the light.” Since then, he has crafted and sold hundreds of unique lamps to people all over the world. Ramiro and Annebeth’s team grew in 2015 with the birth of their daughter, Olivia.

Design & Recycling

Alongside the extensive collection of lamps, El Ciclo also offers a wide array of bike-related gifts and collector’s items, all centered around a love for the iconic bicycle. If you look closely, you’ll find bikes and bike parts scattered throughout the shop—sometimes hidden in plain sight. Over the past five years, El Ciclo has become a must-visit destination for anyone who loves cycling, or who is interested in upcycling and design.

In the shop window, you’ll spot a few stunning bamboo bicycles, and inside, you can admire some rare bikes from Ramiro’s personal collection, including the ‘Roulandt,’ the first recumbent bike to be mass-produced, and his impressive collection of miniature bikes.

Whether you’re planning a bike tour, looking to rent a bike, or are simply curious about Ramiro’s lamp collection, or other cycling-inspired creations, stop by! We’d love to show you around the shop and the workshop.

Explore Barcelona

Annebeth is in charge of organizing the bike tours at El Ciclo. In addition, she runs the English-language online platform Barcelonatipsbylocals.com, where you can find everything you need to know about Barcelona. Whether you’re planning to visit the Sagrada Família, explore Camp Nou, or discover the best restaurants, the website provides all the information you need.

If you have a specific question, feel free to contact us!