I ride my drop-bar road bikes with my palms on the 'shoulders' of the top of the bars where they bending forward, thumbs-up and fingers pointing forward. Brake lever location is further forward/downward along the downward bend and is NOT conducive to riding 'on the hoods', but levers are at my fingertips if riding in the drops. Likewise, my barcon shifters are within reach of the heel of my hand and little finger if I slide them back when riding in the drops. Both hands are in contact with with the bars at all times.