+1 on padded gloves

+1 on getting the right saddle height set up

+1 on raising the handlebars. these Nashbar quill stems work great for that: http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/SearchD...=comfort+quill

Nitto Technomic stems are also great and look more period correct but they cost more. The removable face plate of the nashbar ones can help when you're dialing in the fit if you get a few different stem lengths.