the chain cleaners are amazingly easy to use and well worth it! I clean my chain with Simple Green and then lube with Tri Flow (there are lots of brands of lube, I use this 'cause it was the one recommended by my LBS)... having a clean chain will increase the life of your chain, cogset and chainring... as well as improve the performance of your shifting... I clean after every century (or any long ride) or when I have compiled 100 miles in rides... also after going thru water or bad weather...

I was also told to rotate each leg at stops... so right foot down at one stop, left foot down at next... this allows you to stretch EACH IT band and muscles in the leg set down... rotating helps ensure BOTH legs benefit from whatever forced downtime you have!