I love love love my Greenspeed, which is very very much like the Catrike.
Go on over to bentrideronline.com (AKA BROL)
(specifically
http://www.bentrideronline.com/messa...splay.php?f=13
or http://www.bentrideronline.com/messageboard/index.php? )

Give it a chance. These things are quick and fun to ride and I find climbing on them quite easy.
As for shorts, if you want the bike-style shorts, get rowing shorts, they are very similar but with only a modesty pad.
http://www.jlrowing.com/womensstuff.html
For more around town like shorts, try hiking shorts or "amphi" style shorts which often have cinches at the leg openings
e.g.
http://www.rei.com/product/761820

The thing with all recumbent-type bikes/trikes is to learn to spin. Try forcing yourself not to use the big chainring for a few hundred miles - you'll be amazezd at the difference in your riding pleasure and speed.
Feel freee to PM me. But, BROL is a wonderful resource