Wow, thanks for all the great tips! I'm hoping to do a 55 mile ride tomorrow, so will for sure try the sans-underwear shorts-wearing for the first time. Don't know if I'll have the chance to get ahold of any chamois cream before then, but I'm sure I'll find out by the end of the ride if there are issues. I know there are at least a couple of bike shops on the way in case I have a chafing emergency at least!