I say go to your nearest REI in Portland and get fitted, after you've perused their website for bikes.

After being fitted and getting some idea as to what size bike you'll need, either decide on a bike purchase there, while at REI, or return home and order from bikesdirect.com.

www.bikesdirect.com

* You might also wanna check out a Schwinn dealership after observing their Signature Series bikes.

www.schwinnbikes.com

There is also another good website for bikes called Performance:

www.performancebike.com

Alternatively, you could always deal with Craigslist Sometimes CL can be smooth and sometimes it can be a hassle, too.

- Slim

PS.

If you're riding on paved roads only, get a road bike with skinny and smooth tires. Since you'll be dealing with rain, try to get disc brakes and fenders.

If you'll be riding on dirt trails and mountainous terrain, that includes roots, rocks, and crevices, get a mountain bike with the widest knobbie tires.

If you'll be riding a combination of paved road and wooded trails, then get a hybrid or a cyclocross bike with wider tires.

Narrow and smooth tires means fast. Wide and knobbie tires means slow.