Back to the overpadded hands- I thought the "death grip" observation was spot on, at least for me. Big fat twister shifters, plus fat gel gloves, of course I needed a death grip! My hands barely fit around the stuff and were always numb. I was planning a carve down on the shifters, but the new gloves were actually what I've been wearing around all the time 'cos the sticky bumps took strain off the shoulder problems. I went out in them because they were on my hands from the drive, and le voila, the gear fit my hands fine. Glad I didn't take tools to the shifters after all!
The issue with shorts is tied to the eternal search for a saddle, at least in my veiw. I find a thin but high quality chamois stops any chafing, and the rest is on the saddle. Works for me. Hate the diaper waddle! For all equipment I have a strict policy of "if I'm not totally awestruck in love with it, I'm not buying it". Never regretted this, including for shorts and saddles.
Final two cents worth; somebody here was singing the praises of Bag Balm (stuff in the green box) for but butter. I finally tried it and boy was she right! I was feeling a particular sense of enlightenment about where the phrase "That really chaps my a**" came from, and since Bag Balm is made for chapped cows... Anyway, I've been really pleased and releived.

Lizzy

Did I mention there were a lot of owls hooting and calling all through the woods? It was great!