The Solitary Cyclist

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.

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.

"The Solitary Cyclist" is a most unusual story and involves what seems, at first, as a most mundane sort of mystery. It seems a piano teacher has been followed while she cycled to and from the train station. However, the bearded man never approaches too close and the young lady wonders if he means to do her harm, so she approaches Sherlock with her strange story.

This is a good but not great story...one with a mystery that is relatively easy to solve (at least a portion of it) and the resolution pretty much the same. But it's made so well that even a second-tier Holmes story is still wonderful and entertaining. It also is rather humorous in spots AND you get to see Sherlock involved in a most enjoyable pub brawl!

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 !

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".