The budget bike...

A Kent Luminance, a low priced aluminum MTB.  Made of Aluminum 6061 Alloy, a very common structural aluminum (easy to weld and good toughness).

The helmet...

-Giro Havoc '02, a comfortable helmet with lots of air.

The trails...

      -Rock Island Rail Trail;  A comfortable gravel rail trail that runs from Alta to Toulon, IL.  Just the trail, a tree canopy, and plains of corn surrounding.  An odd feature is a huge 50' long culvert that you are "not supposed" to ride through.

Jubilee State Park-My first taste of MTB trails...don't forget your helmet and sense of direction while at this 3,200 acre park near Peoria, IL.

Loveland Bike Trail-A scenic 72 mile paved rail trail near Cincinnati, OH.  Hope to go further on this soon.