Hey that's not a BFL question!!
Just kiddin'. Hm. Well as you may or may not know, but Jim and I worked for quite a while at one of the Bay Area's top bike shops - Talbot's Cyclery in San Mateo, California. Jim was the assistant manager and I worked there part-time, selling bikes.
Here's what I suggest you do. First off DO NOT BUY A BIKE FROM KMART, WALMART, TARGET, SEARS, COSTCO, etc.etc. Find a *reputable* bike shop and take your business there. Yeah, I know what you'll say - the bikes are so much more expensive...but something I learned from being in the biz, is that bikes are a very low-margin item. Most bike shops make the bulk of their money on accessories and service, rather than selling the bikes themselves. In addition, the people at department stores putting the bikes together (they come to the shops unassembled or only partly assembled) generally don't know diddly about what they're doing. When Jim and I go to Target, it's pretty easy to spot poorly assembled bikes - brakes put on caddywumpus, handlebars and stems on BACKWARDS, etc. etc.
Now, you have to decide what kind of riding you are going to do. If you do indeed plan on going off-road, then a mountain bike might be for you. However, if you are planning on mostly staying on pavement and doing casual riding, I would HIGHLY recommend looking into the 'comfort bikes'. I sold quite a few of these back when I was working at Talbots'. They have totally adjustable handlebars, suspension seatposts, and are easy to ride (you don't have to be hunched over like Lance Armstrong). Go to your local bike shop (or more than one) and try out some bikes. Any reputable shop should be willing to let you test ride a few bikes and help you with picking the right bike for you - if they give you a hassle, then take your business elsewhere.
Brands I recommend - well, I have a fondness for Specialized but I know that they can be pricey for most people. If you want to get a really terrific bike at a good price, check out Raleigh - their motto is "more bike for the buck" and they have a very wide variety of sport comfort bikes. I believe their website is
www.raleighusa.com. Another brand to check out is the Diamond Back brand, which is actually owned by Derby Cycle, who also owns Raleigh - so you'll see quite a lot of similarity between the two lines. One more thing - bike companies put out new models each year, just like cars. Check around - you might find some super deals on last year's models at your shops!
Okay, back to protein powder. I personally use MetRx Protein Plus Vanilla Creme as far as 'straight protein' goes, and Myoplex Lite for an MRP (meal replacement powder or proteins + carbs). But try different ones, because what tastes great to one person might not necessarily taste wonderful to another (for example so many people at Lean & Strong just love GROW! but I can't stand the stuff personally!)
Take care!
MrsJim? I have a couple of q's for you!
