The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (TV Series) The Solitary Cyclist (1984) User Reviews

A classic yet slightly twisted ordinary mystery

[amsvixen · 9/10 · 20 November 2006]

This is one of the quintessential additions to the traditional Sherlock Holmes collection.

It begins with a young and very pretty cyclist who seeks the help of Dectective Holmes because she is being followed on her bicycle during her work commute in the country. Holmes is initially involved in other experiments and studies, and is at first is not interested in hearing her case. But he soon gains interest as she presents herself as a poised and learned potential client, and Watson is intrigued by her beauty and her persistence.

It turns out that there is a plot against this woman that is unknown to her, and the antagonist is soon revealed as the one most interested in saving her life.

This episode is quite "delightful" in that in entails the elements that compromise a classic Holmes tale. It incorporates blunt and direct references to Holmes's cocaine addiction, along with his desire to solve every case, as this one along with many he regards as irresistible due to its complicated nature. There is also an opportunity for him to teach Watson, and a comic element is incorporated when Holmes's friend and college proves himself as yet again, inferior to Holmes's sleuthing abilities.

One of my favorites.... a must-see for the Jeremy Brett-as-Sherlock fan. An episode created at the pinnacle of this BBC series.

Classic Sherlock Holmes

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 22 May 2012]

The Solitary Cyclist is a classic Sherlock Holmes episode. I do prefer just The Crooked Man, The Dancing Men and The Final Problem of the Adventures series, but this is easily one of the better episodes of that series to me. It is an evocatively made and visually splendid adaptation as usual, and the music is of hauntingly beautiful quality. The story is not too complicated and has some very pleasing twists and a great atmosphere, while the writing is sophisticated and sometimes droll in the banter with Holmes and Watson, the altercation in the Public House is one of the single best scenes of any of the Granada Holmes adaptations. The acting is great, Barbara Wilshire, John Castle and especially Michael Siberry are very effective in supporting roles and David Burke is a composed and playful Watson but Jeremy Brett superb Holmes again proves to be the main attraction. Overall, a classic. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Holmes and Watson's relationship gels perfectly in this 4th episode.

[kfo9494 · 9/10 · 13 October 2013]

A sinister little tale involving a most beautiful female music teacher and some money hungry gents that just cannot seem to live up to the bargain of a card game.

The story was quite interesting as the female, Violet Smith who is also a bicycle enthusiast, is being followed while leaving her employment by a man in dark clothes also riding a bicycle. She is so worried that she employs Sherlock Holmes to look into the matter as she feels something or someone is out to get her.

But it will not be till further in the story that we, as viewers, learn of the plot that is afoot. It appears that there is more than one person that wants to marry the music teacher but all may not have the best plan at heart. Holmes, along with Dr Watson, must seek the reason for her troubles.

There are actually some nice scenes in this episode. From the exchange between Holmes to Watson about his useless undercover work, to Holmes fancy footwork in a fist-o-cuffs in a local pub- both very humorous situations. But do not think this is all smiles and laughter as some noticeable gun play will fill the afternoon air when the plot starts to climax. An entertaining show that was a pleasure to watch.

A dark and brilliant early episode.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 2 August 2016]

Jeremy Brett's first season as the great detective was excellent on the whole, but the standout episode from the first run has to be The Solitary Cyclist. A dark and sinister tale, full of mystery, suspense and intrigue, it has a really dark, nasty tone, some quite disturbing moments, and a genuinely good cast, Barbara Wilshere is delightful as Violet, soft and sweet, the perfect victim. Michael Siberry plays South African Woodley with true villainy, he is somehow repulsive in the role, such a contrast between the two characters. As for John Castle I have never seen him in a bad role, a truly competent and consistent actor, he is outstanding in this also.

The scenes of Violet being followed on her bicycle journey look really effective, you get a true sense of menace. Violet's meeting with Holmes and Watson is a great moment too, even the great and cool Sherlock Holmes succumbs to Violet's charms. The fight scene in the pub is really well done, you cannot help but enjoy it.

Everything you could possible want from 45 minutes of TV. 10/10

One of my favs

[raydvd451 · 10/10 · 2 July 2009]

This is one of my favorite episodes in the entire series of Sherlock Holmes.

This episode has all that is good in the ITV Classic.

The beautiful Barbara Wilshere as the cyclist in peril, A vile villain in Michael Siberry as Woodley.

As always the costumes and places are simply stunning as is the acting from all.

What stands out for me is the excellent comedy from both Jeremy Brett and David Burke.I always laugh out loud in 2 scenes in paricular. Holmes explaining to Dr Watson hi utter failure in his stake out. And then Watson talking to himself unaware of Holmes earwigging

"Go to the nearest public-house. That is the centre of country gossip" - Watson

"Capital idea Watson ! " Bellows Holmes in sarcastic tone.

The only thing that tops this is the altercation in the Public House where the brutal thuggery of Woodley ( backfists Holmes sending him hurtling across the room )

Is given a lesson in gentlemanly pugilism ( "Only a ruffian uses the back of the fist ! "..... " and i sir am a gentleman " - Holmes and is quickly dealt with and is then given a round of applause by the patrons of the house.

My favorite ever Holmes line !

Terrific rapport between Brett & Burke

[vitoscotti · 8/10 · 21 September 2020]

A beautifully simple, well crafted story. In the back of my mind it was how I thought it would end. But, even still a wonderful watch filling in the total story. John Castle is creepy good seeing him in "A Touch of Frost" & "Midsomer Murders".

The Solitary Cyclist

[Prismark10 · 9/10 · 22 January 2019]

John Castle. If he had gone and based himself in the USA when he was younger, I am convinced he would had an Oscar to show for it.

Castle plays Carruthers a man who has arrived from South Africa along with the more brutish Woodley.

Carruthers has hired young Violet Smith to be the music teacher for his daughter. Carruthers knew Violet's uncle in South Africa and he makes sure that it is a well paid job.

Violet has consulted Sherlock Holmes because she thinks that she is being followed when she cycles to and from the train station when she visits her mother in London. Each time the strange looking man is there keeping a distance.

Holmes sends Dr Watson at first to keep a lookout and is most disappointed with his endeavours. Then Holmes goes to the country pub and meets Woodley where he engages in a fight with him. He also finds out about a nasty defrocked priest.

Holmes also reckons that Violet Smith is in danger and it is all to do with her uncle in South Africa.

Although this is in some ways a simple tale it is terrifically realised by Alan Plater. You have a sense of who the cyclist following the young lady might be but it takes Holmes to put it all together.

There are some lovely countryside scenes but you also get a sense that Jeremy Brett is already comfortable in the role and the way he shows his irritable side to Watson.

Well done episode is less complicated than most Holmes adventures...

[Doylenf · 6/10 · 23 August 2009]

But having said that, it still keeps you baffled until Holmes clears up the whole mystery by deduction with just a little help from Watson. Jeremy Brett and David Burke are excellent as the sleuth and his doctor friend who are charmed by a young woman who tells them an intriguing story about being a solitary cyclist who is being followed by a strange man with a beard. She also tells them how she happened to meet two men, with a flashback showing how the younger man proposed marriage to her and became angry when she refused his advances.

John Castle and Michael Siberry are the gentlemen she describes as inviting her to teach Castle's daughter music lessons, but it turns out that there is an ulterior motive behind their seeking her to come and live in Castle's home. Some nice twists toward the end will keep the viewer engrossed in the story.

Nicely photographed in usual high style with lots of English countryside on display and some amusing banter between Holmes and Watson. One of the better entries in this series.

Not a great episode, but has great dialogue

[suicidea · 6/10 · 15 January 2021]

For me this is not one of the top episodes, although I cannot put my finger on why it doesn't work as well as it should: The story is not bad (Sherlock stories never are) the acting is great as always (well, mostly) but something is missing: Although I would really hate to admit it, the fact is that a man disguised with a fake beard is hardly exciting or thrilling for the modern audience.

A very young lady contacts Holmes and asks for his advice: She's been employed as a music teacher for a widower's daughter, but she has noticed that a man has been following her on the road to her employer's home.

The episode somehow doesn't work, but the dialogue is great. Also watch out for the inn scene, where Sherlock is hit with what is probably the most awkward punch in the history of television. Nevertheless, it's not totally unworthy of the series, just not one of the best additions.

Stretches the Limits a Bit; However

[Hitchcoc · 7/10 · 5 February 2014]

This is an episode where the set-up is quite good, but the result (which I will not ruin) runs a little off the tracks. The suspense is quite good, however, as a beautiful young music teacher goes to 221B to talk to Holmes about a two-wheeled stalker who follows her on her path to her work. He never gets terribly close, stops when she stops, but his appearance is unsettling, to say the least. Holmes sends Watson to keep an eye on her, but the results are disappointing. Holmes goes to investigate the principles in the case, one of them, a man who is quite a bit older than the young woman, who has proposed marriage to her and been rebuked. By investigating this man, Holmes begins to piece together the web of intrigue that surrounds his client. I have to say that I felt that for all her fears, she was a pretty cool customer to put herself in potential harm continuously. Of course, she was being paid well at the job, but there were forces at work, and most of us would have found her actions foolish. When I first read this story, I found the ending laughable, but that's what the author wrote. You'll have to decide for yourself. Of course, there's great interaction between the detective and his sidekick which makes everything watchable. Another nice entry into the Granada series.

Good episode

[grantss · 7/10 · 19 November 2022]

Sherlock Holmes is hired by Violet Smith. She is a music teacher, tutoring the daughter of a businessman, Mr Carruthers, who has just returned from South Africa. While living in Mr Carruthers' house she is propositioned by his business partner, the loathsome Mr Woodley, who turned violent when she rejected his advances. Not only does she feel threatened by Mr Woodley but a strange man has been following her on a bicycle when she goes to the station.

A good episode of Sherlock Holmes, though not one of the best. Not your usual plot in that for most of the episode no crime has been committed - Holmes is hired pre-emptively.

A bit weaker than most episodes though in that the plot feels a bit contrived and implausible. Some aspects of the mystery are quite obvious too.

Always Cycle With A Buddy.

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 21 July 2012]

A poor -- but beautiful and classy -- young lady, Barbara Wilshere, is hired to teach music to the master's young daughter in a suburban house. The master, John Castle, is older and polite, the girl compliant. But there is Michael Siberry, always hanging around and ogling Wilshere, with his outlandish red wig and Nietzschean mustache. Catching her alone, Siberry proposes marriage and tries to give her a big smooch. He's thrown out of the house after a fight with Castle.

Of course the young lady is distraught and seeks the help of Holmes and Watson. And it's not just Siberry's crude advances that bother her. She's allowed to catch the train to the city on Fridays and return on Mondays. She bicycles to and from the station, but each time she is followed at some distance by a man on another bicycle. The man wears glasses and a crudely faked beard. He always keeps his distance. When she stops, he stops. Who is this guy and what's his game? Watson is sent to investigate and he spies on the two cyclists without discovering anything new. "You did a terrible job, Watson," remarks Holmes. A few minutes later, Watson stops Holmes and asks, "Did I REALLY do a terrible job?" Holmes pauses thoughtfully for a moment, replies, "YES," with a smile, and disappears through the doorway. The arrogant sleuth's treatment of his "Boswell" is rarely sensitive.

Anyway, the result is that Holmes and Watson manage to catch the tail end of a forced marriage between the bound and gagged young lady -- who, unknown to her, is heir to a fortune -- and the unashamedly villainous Michael Sidberry.

The bicycle had become chic at the time of the story. It was a relatively new invention. (Before that, there were only unicycles with one big wheel in front and a tiny training wheel behind.) Butch Cassidy rode one in "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," and bicycles figure in more than one of Conan-Doyle's original stories.

This episode isn't out of the ordinary, and the fake marriage is ludicrous, but it's fun to watch, especially the scenes of Wilshere pedaling through the tranquil English countryside.