Newbie advice equipment please

Hi Chris. CatEye lights are very good - sturdy and functional. Well priced,too. Happy to recommend the Rapid 3 as a rear light. For front ones you will generally need to spend more if you want something to 'see' rather than 'be seen', at least comfortably, but even then if you're prepared to go carefully then a basic one can suffice in the dark.

For shorts (and other kit), if you want quality you'll get a variety of suggestions from Assos, Castelli and others; on a smaller budget however (like mine) I can happily recommend the DHB range, which I've found to be very good.