I'm still a newbie road cylist, so I can't comment on how to lessen the grease on the chain (but I do appreciate the cleaning comments on this thread and other TE locations-thanks).

I can comment, however, on the wonder of WetOnes for cleaning up the chain grease. Having spent this past Friday night elbow deep in chain grease as I put my rear tire back on after a tube replacement (erg), my container of WetOnes was welcome relief for wiping away the core of the mess (also good on wiping up the bike frame). I now carry some individual ones in my saddle bag for roadside repairs. It doesn't get the junk out of the cuticles, though...

...but that's why I got a manicure on Saturday: coral pink. Weee!

PS. Also appreciate the cadence question: my bike computer is worthless in that respect, so I'll try the manual. Do folks count for a full minute or just 10 or 30 seconds?