Thanks for your replies guys!
So I'd be avoiding some crazy hills if I stick to the south of the continent aye? (I must work out a solid itinerary, and become less ignorant of the geographic scope of the countries I will be in).
Gonna be good fun though. Lebanon aye? I think I'll be down for some good eating by the time I make it to there.
And hmmm Syria, not sure what I'm gonna do about him...Fixie might come in handy for dodging bullets and war crimes, thick and fast from what I understand.