Quick question. Were the bars on the LHT high enough? Was the steerer tube already cut or can the bars be moved higher?
You mentioned being “old” ... I’m kinda old, too. There is no need to suffer with low handle bars just because that is the fashion, or because a 20-something mechanic bulit up,the bike that way. Hand comfort and better access to the LHT bar end shifters might both be addressed with higher bars.
Related: You sound pretty tall...was the LHT big enough for you?