Quote Originally Posted by Jude View Post
Wow, what an overwhelming response, thanks everybody!

I'm 5'3" 180 pounds so am guessing a women specific bike would probably fit best. Guess I'll get some advice of that from REI. REI is an OK place to buy a bike, right? I guess I find them less intimidating than specialized stores.

At least at first my riding will be done mainly on trails. There's a bike trail about half a mile from my house, it connects with a couple of others, so, when I get fitter it'll be possible to go 20+ miles without riding on roads, except to cross them. The trails are asphalt, though not necessarily that well maintained. Would a hybrid bike work for that? (Showing how little I know, I didn't even know that hybrid bikes existed until several of you recommended them.)

Kinda embarrassing question: For those of us who are larger, do our boobs and tummies get in the way while riding? I carry all my excessive weight in my mid-section - I've relatively slim legs and hips, for my weight - but I've a 39 inch waist and I'm a 40E.

I'll definitely follow the advice to start slowly, little by little, I hope to get slimmer and fitter.
A hybrid will be perfectly fine on those.