I rode through Turkey, Syria, Jordan, and Kurdistan during Ramadan this summer. Not a problem at all, most shops are open during the day and some restaurants are as well. Many people do in fact eat/drink during the day, travelers, the sick, children, the elderly etc are exempt. I stopped in roadside restaurants for lunch several times and they were always packed. Observance is definitely lower in Turkey and Kurdistan than in Syria and Jordan but keep in mind Syria has a significant Christian population, not only in Damascus but in the mountains as well. Interesting contrast to visit these areas.
As a westerner and traveler nobody is going to expect you to observe Ramadan, with that said I took care not to eat in public during the day. Drinking water is another thing, if you don't drink while riding in the Middle East in summer you're going to be hurting!
I was frequently invited to tea or offered a drink by people I met along the way - on the way from Palmyra to Damascus I stopped at a gas station and was eating a snack outside to not offend the attendants, they invited me in to the air conditioned building, offered me one of their seats, tea etc. The hospitality is simply incredible, you'll have a great time!
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