CLEANING YOUR BIKE: FUN OR FORGET ABOUT IT?

I thought I'd spend the winter fine-tuning and overhauling but since we never got real snow I'm just beating my bikes up with freezing drunk rides on bumpy streets. One gets stored outside and they're both pretty sad-looking. u_u

a clean bike is truly something to behold

GUH I have to clean the other one now. And start riding it before the 5 Boro.

the dirt is what's holding my bike together

run your finger under the bottom bracket and tell me what you discover

spent a very satisfying hour today with the bike in the stand and giving it a top-to-bottom. I even got round to giving it a rubdown with silicon polish at the end, lovely stuff.

Best tool used (which may even replace the toothbrush):
http://www.purpleharry.co.uk/assets/web_images/Floss%20closeup.jpg
purple Harry large bike floss - like a pipe cleaner, with fishing line woven in for a bit of abrasiveness, cleaned out all sorts of crap.

One weird thing I noticed - left side of bike seemed way dirtier than right side - any ideas?

BABYWIPES are the secret weapon in my cleaning arsenal. workstand is pretty croosh too; i got a good deal on an elite one that was about 60% off, it's nice and solid.

this thread reminds me that my commuter is a fukkkkn disgrace atm. should give it a cursory going-over before winter really sets in.

babywipes = very true, and seeing as we have 1 + one on way, there's never a shortage of them around the house.

Step 1: MTB in the mud, bike gets dirty
Step 2: Clean bike with Muc-off and jetwash or hose.
Step 3: Admire clean bike
Step 4: Go to bed
Step 5: Look at bike the next day, "omgwtf it's still covered in mud"

every time!