While Chris Froome was bidding to win his second Grand Tour of the year in Spain, older brother Jonathan chose the modest climbs of the Chilterns to exercise his cycling skills.

The elder Froome, 39, opted for the 80-mile route of the Marlow Red Kite Ride as one of his few outings of the year and – unlike his champion sibling - described himself purely as a “casual cyclist”.

Froome, from Purley Surrey, even revealed what might be the earliest secret of Chris’s success, saying: “I remember in those days he often used to be pinch my bike.”

Bucks Free Press:

Chris Froome's older brother Jonathan describes himself as a "casual cyclist"

The ride, which is now in its fifth year, starts and ends at Marlow Sports Club and winds its way through town and on through the Chiltern Hills.

Thankfully, there was no repeat of the suspected sabotage seen last year, when drawing pins were scattered along the route, forcing dozens of cyclists off the road.

Around 50 participants were left with flat tyres but fortunately no one was injured during the incident.

Froome senior was one of 700 riders in a another sell-out entry at the popular Chilterns event which is likely to raise around £9,000 for chosen charity Cycling Projects and the “Wheels for All” initiative at Bisham Abbey.

Red Kite Ride organised by club Marlow Riders, which has seen its membership swell to 200 since starting only in 2010.

Chairman Rod Woodland: “I never imaged that we would grow so quickly.

“We are a 21st century cycling club. Many other clubs were formed in the 1950s and 1960s and they’ve never changed.

“What we do is cater for everyone who wants to come and enjoy their cycling.”

A popular feature of the ride returned this year, with riders taking to a 30-metre wide ford crossing the river Loddon near Twyford.

At just under a foot deep it is only the second year in five that the river depth would allow the routes to cross the ford and the feature proved quite a talking point for the returning riders.

Disabled cyclist Faisal Sultan took on the 50-mile course, and completed his ride on a hand cycle in just 4hrs 30 mins.

Sultan, who was paralysed in his lower limbs in an accident 12 years ago, has also completed the London to Paris charity ride in three days.

Proceeds from the Red Kite Ride will be donated to a charity and project dedicated to providing solutions for anyone with disabilities to ride adapted bikes and trikes in group sessions.

The latest venue to be opened is at nearby Bisham Abbey, and the money raised will go to helping develop this as a growth centre for the Wheels for All project.