I posted this in introduction, than I thought it might be more appropriate here? If not will you guide me to the best spot for this post?

Hi my name is Tim, and I live in Colorado. Lone tree area to be more exact (south of Denver-Castle Rock).


Please excuse me if I am being rude, or may have broken any rules, but I have joined this forum to seek knowledge from ALL of you awesome outdoor enthusiasts out there. Would you please read my story below and help recommend a Bike, and some starter trails in CO? I am seeking knowledge in something I know little about. Thanks for your kindness.

I am currently 6' and 270LBS. YIKES THAT'S RIGHT A WHOPPING 2-7-0 POUNDS. I want to lose my extra weight this year and start taking appropriate steps to living a better life. Eating better, getting my heart rate up etc etc.

Two years ago I had the unfortunate event of breaking my leg. It required a couple surgeries to put everything back together. I now have two anchors in my ankle and 9 screws, a 6.5" plate and a whole bunch of reconnected tendons blah blah blah. I spent 6 months in hard casts, 6 months in a boot and about 1 year in PT. After all this any kind of exercise that involves running, speed walking and etc brings a lot of pain to my ankle. Thus giving me the syndrome of avoiding pain. I have tried different shoes and etc. I have gained a couple pants sizes since the injury. Add this to an overnight cubicle job, and you can probably see why I need the change.

It was recommended to me to start biking, as there is more of a gliding motion in the legs than there is a pounding motion, where all my weight (since I am a big boy) hits my ankle/foot during exercise.

When I was a teenager I was a slender 165 pounds. I rode a bike EVERYWHERE as a kid. It was a cheap garage sale bike but it was my thing. I loved it.

SO I am asking for you to help me figure out the best course of choosing a bike and what I will need to help accomplish my riding goals.

My riding style will be the following:
2.0 miles on pavement to and from work every day.
A couple hours of biking every morning for exercise. I live next to a mountain trail, and may enjoy a casual ride through the neighborhood.
Weekend riding at Garden of the Gods, To waterfalls, wherever my little Saturn will take me.

Therefore I was thinking a Road-mountain bike Hybrid, Or should I stick to only one style of riding? What bike can handle carrying this much weight with little wear? I hope to abuse the thing all year and more.
My budget is $1200 for everything.
I notice some bikes in the $1k range don't come with pedals or grips, how does that work?
ANY advice is appreciated.