Peter, your dreams are very realistic.

The first thing to do is follow your PT regiment religiously after your surgery. Strengthening and range of motion during the recovery will determine your future, which is indeed bright after getting the new knee.

The most important thing in a bike is the Fit. If it doesen't fit it will hurt even good knees. I don't have good knees (see avatar at left)and can't imagine the torture of riding an ill fitting bike

Probaly the cheapest and most plentiful bike will be a used rigid frame moutain bike to start with if you are concerned you won't stick with it. There is no physical reason you can't do it, it will all be psychological. You do want to be sure you have gears though. Spining into headwinds or up hills is key to preserving less than ideal knees. Mashing is another way to ask for trouble. Spinning on a single speed bike is near impossible when faced with hills or headwinds.

Believe itor not, we have folks who started out at an even heavier weight than you are now. That being said, practice this mantra, "Of course I can do this!" It might only be around the block when you start out, but that's just as good a riding 100 miles if youthink about it. It;s all about getting started and sticking with it. Sooner or later you will be living for your daily rides when you get in the groove, and mileage will increase as you go.

Any of you regulars know if the sexy beast Chipcom is in Akron or not? I somehow seem convinced we have a member or two in that area.

To recap:

No you are not dreaming, you can do this after you get healed up and cleared.

Celebrate that first few hundred yards like you just won the Tour de France. If someone doesn't understand the victory, so what.

It will be a challenge when yous start out, but so what. The grin factor with each new goal met is immeasureable.