On the shorts discussion, I'd like to throw in a recommendation for double-shell mountain bike shorts, with a padded cycling short inside and a semi-baggy outer short. You could accomplish the same thing by simply wearing baggy shorts of your choosing over the lycra.
I like it because I get the functionality of the padding without doing the roadie superhero look. <I can say that 'cause I once wore REALLY colorful team lycra for many years>
