Sorry to start another new to MTB looking for a bike thread. I thought my specifics might be different enough to warrant its own thread.

So my background, I rode BMX bikes as a kid over any thing I could find. Stopped riding for 30 years, now I've been doing the road bike things for the last 2+ years.

Recently, I've been taking my AWOL to the local dirt path and have been chasing the MTB bike guys around. I thought it might be time to invest in a MTB bike so I don't tear up my AWOL in the process.

I'm 280 lbs, 6'1" tall, 44 years old. Decent riding skills already. I'm adept at working on bikes already. At least, hybrids and road bikes and disc brakes.

I already have some MTB shoes with SPD's that I used to clip on my other bikes. I liked the feeling of being clipped in on my AWOL on the dirt paths, so I assume I'll also like being clipped in on a MTB bike as well.

I have a good relationship with a LBS already that sells Specialized, Trek and Santa Cruz MTB bikes. I'm also comfortable with buying from online retailers and have them ship me in a partially complete bike that I have to finish the assembly on. Also, I'm comfortable buying off Craigslist.

All that said, I'm not sure which type of bike to be looking for right now. Steel, Aluminum, hard tail or full suspension, etc. I'm just not that up on the particulars of MTB bikes.

Any suggestions for a seasoned Clyde new to MTB? Thanks in advance.