After the initial period where your butt says 'hey! what is this 'riding stuff?' you will probably find you can go the distances you have been without good riding shorts. If you want to start pushing the distances up then they are worth ever penny.
Stretches don't have to be all that painful but before AND after is the key. I am probably telling you stuff you had already heard plenty of times but I found when people reminded me I was less likely to get cocky and then regret it.
No, it's good to hear it. Need to get the good habits going.
Since I'm doing this for exercise as well as transportation, I hope to up the miles once I'm ok doing two 3.5s in a day. And the ride home is very very hot right now.
It!!!