vik's proposal sounds very, very fun, but I don't think I will do that now.

About the whole "TEFL in China" idea, it won't be carried out. I think there is a decent amount of wisdom Machka and Bacciagalupe's post. The super-cheap offering of a TEFL course and a follow-up job is most likely a scam. Other TEFL courses are much more expensive; not like in Europe, but adding the airplane ticket it will be too much. I'll forget about it.

Bacciagalupe, I am supposed to fly to Lyon December 30th. I don't absolutely have to, though.

I have talked to my parents, and we all seem to agree that if I really want to realise this idea of an Asian bicycle adventure, I should get a job and earn some money before I go. Doing that will also provide me with more time to prepare for the journey. If I want to, I can get a TELF certificate before I go, or somewhere in Asia.

If I decide to get a job now (in Western Europe, because of the salaries) there's really no hurry planning things, but I still don't see why flying somewhere to bicycle is such a great thing. What and how much I see of Asia is not determined by my place of departure. I can go exactly the same route whether I start in Europe or in Asia.

I guess I'll catch the flight to Lyon and head south to look for work. I'll be looking for something in the countryside because of significantly lower living expenses (more money to save for my trip), but I dunno if anything will turn up using the method of just "going to look for work". Any experiences? Perhaps there are some "agencies" or organizations that can help me get a job in the countryside? Hm. I will have to do some research on this now.

Anyway, the content of the previous paragraph is not really relevant to this thread or this forum. If you have some good advice, please write me, but otherwise I'll probably figure things out myself. Even though it looks like I am postponing the trip a few months, the thread is still very open for opinions and advice. I am very grateful for all the help I've had so far, and for whatever help I will get.

I think I should plan my trip according to the climate, at least. I can handle high temperatures, but I cannot handle physical activity in high temperatures. Or, I mean; I can do anything, but in my case, climate may easily prove to be the main determining factor for my enjoyment of bicycle touring. Maybe it's because I'm from Norway.