Hebe, chamois is the whole point of cycle shorts --- something soft, seamless and non-chaffing to separate rider from a sometimes unforgiving saddle. Without the chamois, lycra shorts are just ugly gym shorts.

Cool looking bike Stephen. Go the hub gears!

I've gone and put spd pedals on the bike.

Unless you are racing, you should get rid of those pedals. What is the point of them?

I cycle as my main form of transport and wear normal clothes pretty much exclusively. For rain, I have mudguards and carry a light northface goretex jacket. I wear a roadie helmet as it has the best airflow. I've got flat pedals with old style toe clips and straps. If sweat is potentially a problem, I just slow down, bikes have plenty of gears.

If I will be out in poor visibility on a busy road, I might grab a reflective or fluro overvest but generally rely on bright flashing leds.

Gloves seem like a good idea but they are just one more thing to remember and faff about with. I'll fish them out for long rides.

For long exercise rides, I'll drag on some lycra bike shorts. Same for touring. Just a t-shirt and icebreaker stuff on the top half.