It is a voyage of discovery of my family roots. A travel journal through space and time, following the footsteps of my great- grandfather Daniele Tatta, who established a cycling record between Rome & Marseille in 1905, covering the 2000km round trip in 11 days, 20 hours and 8 minutes.

It is also a fundraiser for 88bikes, who subsidises bicycles for girls and women in developing countries.

In retracing my great-grandfather's ride myself, I hope to donate a bicycle for every day of pedalling, at least 15.

It is a wholly female reclaiming of a sport too often seen as exclusively male.

I don't place myself as a modern Alfonsina Strada, but she's definitely a major inspiration for me.