Ahhh Alleppo. An ancient and famous Syrian city. Reknown for its age old soqs, imposing citadel, and world heritage listed old city. A city where you can loose yourself for a day, or a week walking throughn its twisting, winding, narrow streets and alleyways. What is not mentioned is the lingering smell of raw sewage and foot, massive and nearly overwhelming noise and air pollution, traffic that will cut you off below the waste if you drop the ball for a second. But at least the hospitality was still awesome- hey its Syria afterall. So moving forward. We rolled into Alleppo and being instantly confused by the city asked a few helful Syrians where a particular hotel was- this particular hotel being the cheapest one in the city. After a few attempts a falla apprached us ... read more

The next few days we cruised around the pretty town of Hama. It is famous for its massive waterwheels that are still in operation today- but just as a tourist attraction! Hama prooved to be full of super friendly people- as always the case in Syria. While I was fairly spanked with a tragically humerous and fantastic case of the runs (tragically humorous like when a clown dies). Apart from the cool school water wheels we discovered numerous cheap and hearty juice bars- which were frequeneted almost as many times as I went to the toilet. We took a day trip out to see the spectacular crusader castle of Crac De Chavelliers. When researching what to see in Syria, Crac De Chavelliers was high on my list. While my energy levels werent at their normal Tiger ... read more

Roman ruins. Columns and old streets. Probably the only place in Syria that has been negatively affected by tourism. A real shame. Offers of cheap hookers (not accepted). Great sunset on a hill.... read more

Said our goodbyes to Ahmed and the boys and rolled on. Today we had the aim of reaching Palmyra a famous roman ruins sight. To do this we had to punch out 100km. We were both up to it and feelng good after a great nights sleep. At sometime during the day Spectacle claimed he would eat a kilogram of Backlava upon reaching Palmyra. I reckoned I could rise to the challenge so layed my bets on the table. The Backlava challenge of Syria was on. After a good days ride we reached Palmyra in the early afternoon. It felt pretty good to have hammered out the 100km in about 5-6 hours in the saddle. Got some digs and went on the hunt for some Backlava. We soon found a worthy shop and loaded up. Ate ... read more

Saddled up in the morning but not before the standard fallafels and lotsa coffee. And not before we met a mad Frenchman who was walking from France to Palestine- and I was thinking we were doing well, but this guy on his foot falcon blew us away. We had a quick chat bonding over personal propolsion methods through the Middle East- he then bounced away into the alleys. _____________________ Exiting Damascus was a fun affiair I tell ya. In and out and around; we swayed and sawm. Two odd creatures on odd bicyclets huffing heaving pushing our legs to crank the beast and move forward; in a direction towards the unknown. A direction to test and try us. For discovery and finding a small part of ourselves that may brew and grow. Spaw and light the ... read more

Woke up to a massive storm. Which was good cause the flu had a tight grip on me. Even the Spidey dance couldnt lift my spirits. Passed in and out of sleep all day. Woke up to see Spider had a new friend. They were going out and Spider was getting numerous fashion tips. An adjusted belt (it must hang loose) and adjusted pants (they must hang over the shoes) this went on to my quiet amusment. Fell asleep to the roaring wind of the med and my lungs. Suxs to be sick. Next day tried to ride up the mountains. Several massive coughing fits and about 20kms later we stayed in the small town of Chekka. The hotel, complete with peeling sky blue paint rising damp and deckchairs strewn everywhere was frequented by numerous couples ... read more