Dispatches From Palmyra

I'm happy to report that after his first day of cycling, Andrew has arrived safely in Palmyra. He will have no data service until he’s out of Syria so cannot post entries or send images, but has enlisted me as ghostwriter in the meantime.  

Today Andrew rode 135 miles from Damascus to Palmyra through the desert about 60 miles north of the Iraq border,  in 102 degree heat. It took him just over 8 hours of cycling time. He's now "a complete mess, but alive" and in a suite at a five-star hotel in Palmyra.

He also adds that he met some Iraqis along the way who spoke eloquently about what Americans have done to their home town, Fallujah.

Tomorrow will bring much resting, no cycling, and hopefully enough investigation of the ancient city to make the journey worth it.

-Liz