On the "bike cleaning" front...

For some reason this past winter my dear, sweet partner started cleaning his winter bike's drivetrain after every ride. Okay, the bike is perhaps past its prime ((with over 50,000 winter kilometers on it and countless summer kilometers) but I think that the near-daily cleaning has totally ruined the bike. Basically what it did was throw a lot more grit into the moving parts.

I am hesitant on the course of action to recommend, but it would definitely involve only wiping off the bike and parts after every ride, and waiting until it's dry to apply lube, and probably a bit less often than you'd be tempted to.

Maybe if your drivetrain starts complaining after 900 miles it needs a good clean and a tuneup, but a whole new chain? I find it really hard to believe, no matter how heavy you are... Perhaps you could consider examining your riding habits, too? (Having your chain crossed over the gears, shifting under load, etc...) I don't get it!