Thanks for all the advice guys. I obtained a hardly ridden bicycle for dirt cheap. It is a 2006 Masi Vincere. It is the perfect size, ridden by a guy almost the same size as I am, for about350 miles. if it doesn't work out I can probably ebay it for a few hundred more than I am paying. I can also get rid of it for a small profit if I decide I want more of a touring bike, as this one is definitely a road bicycle. Beggars can't be choosers and I am moving into a new bicycle for half of what i thought it would take
I just need to buy some pedals and shoes now.