Paralympic gold medallist Naomi Riches didn’t quite know what to expect when she entered her first cyclosportive at the weekend.

“It was quite a journey, got through two pilots but only managed 80 miles. Next year I'll manage the 100!”, she wrote on her Twitter feed later.

The London Paralympic rowing gold medallist was this time last year winning her sixth world title in a nine-year career.

The 31-year-old from Marlow hung up her blades and has hardly trained since. But this summer she had a burning desire to get fit again and take part in a cycling challenge.

So it was that she was invited to enter her local club’s annual event, the Marlow Red Kite ride, which sold out with an entry of 600 riders on 31 August.

“We were very excited to meet Naomi and learn of her interest in cycling and have tried to encourage her but the problem was trying to find a bike for her,” said Red Kite Ride spokesman Jamie Baker.

The partially-sighted Paralympian had been searching for a tandem for a while after her agent, former British athlete Eric Shirley offered to ride with her.

“I got a call only on Wednesday to say that a tandem had been found so there wasn’t much time to think about it,” said Riches.

Cyclists Fighting Cancer, the Red Kite organisers’ chosen charity for the event, came up with the solution after a chat with bike manufacturer Dawes.

“I wanted to get fit again and bumped into Steve Tolmie (event director of the Red Kite Ride). We had a ride together to Benson from Marlow at Easter and I really enjoyed it,” she added.

“I’ve enjoyed my retirement from rowing but I need to feel happy again in my own skin. And the great thing is I’m doing it because I’m enjoying it and not because I’m being told I have to do it!

“I really think the tandem suits me anyway because I’m a team player, and as a team player you have to have a rapport with your partner or partners.”

Her partner on the tandem was Eric Shirley, whose father, also Eric, competed in two Olympic Games in the 3000-metres steeplechase.

Eric junior is an experienced sportive participant and recently finished the Ride London event.

All the more surprising that after 30 miles Shirley had to stop as he was suffering severe cramp. “I’ve never had anything like that before. I was so embarrassed,” he said.

“We were sitting on the side of the road in a spot of bother. But the attitude and spirit of willingness to help us was incredible and I’ll definitely be back to try again.”

While organisers, Marlow Riders, provided trained therapists on hand with massaging and stretching, they also rescued Naomi’s day by finding a substitute in experienced cyclist Sue Barretto, who thought that she’d turned to up to volunteer for the day. Little did she know that she’d be piloting a tandem for the remaining 50 miles of the 80-mile circuit.

Riches added: “It’s run so well. So well-organised. Everyone’s looking out for one another. All the cyclists had their goals. And I’m just pleased to have achieved my ride. I’m probably fitter than I thought!"

The Marlow Red Kite Ride offered participants a choice of three routes – 100-mile, 80-mile and 50-mile. Only nine riders failed to finish and all finishers were handed a medal and a branded Red Kite Ride water bottle at the end of their ride.

One of the most impressive rides of the day came from 11-year-old Cal Gorvy, who rode with father Sean and completed the 50-mile ride in 2 hours and 52 minutes. Young Cal, who has been riding since he was four, cycles at the Palmer Park Velodrome in Reading.

Event Director Tolmie said: “It was another brilliant day and we’ve had great feedback. The riders have enjoyed great scenery on some of the best roads in the Chilterns.”

This is the third running of the Marlow Red Kite Ride, organised by Marlow Riders, and each event so far has received a lot of positive feedback.

Martin Siertsema, who rode the 100 mile event, won first prize in the event’s raffle and took home a brand new GoPro Hero 3+ Black edition camera.

In addition to that the organisers announced that they have raised in excess of £5,000 for Cyclists fighting Cancer, who give bikes, adapted tricycles and equipment to children and young people across the UK whose lives have been affected by cancer.

Mike Grisenthwaite, the charity’s founder and a Cancer Exercise Specialist, took part in the event himself, and recently said: "We’re delighted to be involved with the Red Kite Ride this year.

“The bikes and trikes we give to children with cancer across the UK make an amazing difference to their lives.

“We’re only able to continue to do this through the support of cyclists and cycling clubs such as Marlow Riders."

The event was again supported by British Cycling . For more details go to the event website.