Hi, I am thinking about getting a mountain bike. Primarily for exercise but perhaps using it to explore the outdoors. I don't want to spend an enormous amount of $$ for the bike (this would be my first bike as an adult, and I am 35), but I would like to get a decent one. I used to "BMX and freestyle" back in my high school days (for those who are old enough you may know what im talking about), but I've never gotten back into bicycling since then and want to get into mountain biking.

Anybody have any good recommendations for a mountain bike, i.e. make/models, and what other things to consider when taking up this sport/hobby.

thanks