yes - i started riding 3 weeks ago and have had no pain anywhere except sore thumbs - despite quite long rides for a beginner-- it's how i rest on the hoods, with just my thumbs hooked over them-- even with the shimano short reach brake/shifters and maximum of the little buffers in them, i have to wear gloves to make my hand 'bigger' so i can be on the hoods and still change or brake (this sounds dumb but it works in practice), resulting in only my thumbs effectively being on the hoods-- think i am stuck with this though as the bike shifters are on max looseness, max buffer-plugs and are the small shimanos anyway... unless i change to a kiddie bike!! :-)

if that is my worst problem i ever get on the bike physically, i will be very pleased!!