New Bike Buying Advice

Question
I need some help on what to look for in a new bike. I am 6'2" and weigh 230 pounds. I live in a rural area so I will be riding mostly through pasture land and dirt roads. I was thinking of paying around $200 to $300. My problem is I don't know anything about bikes  because all I heve ever riden has been the useless kind you get from large stores like Wal-Mart. If you could give me some general advice on what brands are generally good, what are good derailers, and anything else I should look at. I have a local bike shop that I am going to go to but they are the only bike shop around so I don't know if they are any good. Anything you can tell me so I will be informed when I go in would be great.

Answer
Hi George,

I think the first and foremost advice I can give you, is to buy your bicycle in a bike shop.  Based on your use, I would be looking for a mountain bike.  I can personnaly suggest a brand name called 'Giant'.  This is one of the biggest manifacturer...and you would get excellent quality-price ratio...

Good luck,

David