Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Back-of-beyond, Kootenays, BC
Posts: 750
Bikes: Specialized Roubaix Exp ert Road and Specialized Stump Jumper FS Mountain; De Vinci Caribou touring, Intense Tracer T275c, Cramerotti, Specialized Allez, Condor
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I'm 62 and still shred some serious trails so don't hide behind age. I'm also faster uphill than a lot of guys half my age. Your weight will make it difficult to ride much uphill until you gradually shed some of it. In other words, your technical skills may exceed your physical ability for awhile. Make this venture part of a shaping up program.
I don't know anything about mountain biking in Ohio. Get any mtb but preferably a good hard tail ($1500+) or, if you can afford it, a decent FSR ($2500+). Scope out some old forestry roads. Try green circle trails. Try and meet someone at a fairly similar skill level so you have a partner and can 'cross-motivate' (or a club if one exists). Main thing is: get out and do it - 2 hours (min.) 3Xs a week (min.). Your skills will build and you can check YouTube for some good pointers geared to your level.