Any tips for washing off sticky clay mud from bike?

[Sky King]

Ohhh, you would be hamstrung and hung for riding on muddy trails here in Boise

Invest in a a good set of brushes, they work great for getting the big chunks off. I wouldn't ever use a screw driver for fear of scratching my bike.

this one MSRP's for about $25

[Irulan]

once I have all the chunks off, I will use a rag like a terry towel to wipe the frame down. The rag, plus lots of water, will get the filmy last bits off.

[TigerMom]

Ohhh, you would be hamstrung and hung for riding on muddy trails here in Boise

Invest in a a good set of brushes, they work great for getting the big chunks off. I wouldn't ever use a screw driver for fear of scratching my bike.

this one MSRP's for about $25

The sticky clay mud was NOT coming out with the brushes. I had to pound out chunks between our bikes and my husband's pedals with a screwdriver. The clay mud was hardened and molded into the bikes. On the other hand, when the clay mud was wet, it was thick and sticky on our bikes...which is why I don't know whether to clean the bikes while the mud is wet or once the clay mud has dried?

[Susan]

This is what works for me:

Immediately after the ride, I get a bucket full of water with usual dishsoap in it and a big brush (I use one that is made for car cleaning) with long, soft bristles. I wash the bike with the brush and a lot of water. If it is really muddy, I take the tires out so that it's easier to clean the parts underneath and put the tires onto the bucket und just scrub away with the brush. For the chain I use old rags or a toothbrush. Then I rinse once or twice with clear water and let everything dry, and then oil everything that needs oiling.
I do not use a hose at all, I just use the bucket for pouring water.

[OakLeaf]

Not to lecture, but I think SkyKing's point got a little lost. If that's the condition your bike is in, think about the condition you left the trails in. There was a conflagration here this spring when organizers decided to go ahead with a small foot race on muddy trails. It took many people, many hours of work afterwards to restore the trails.

[TigerMom]

The trails were opened, so I thought it was ok.

Obviously, I didn't know the conditions. I definitely am NOT going to bike ride in the future the day after it rains (even if the rain is very brief). Lesson learned because cleaning the bike was super difficult.

[Irulan]

The trails were opened, so I thought it was ok.

Obviously, I didn't know the conditions. I definitely am NOT going to bike ride in the future the day after it rains (even if the rain is very brief). Lesson learned because cleaning the bike was super difficult.

Not to lecture, but I think SkyKing's point got a little lost. If that's the condition your bike is in, think about the condition you left the trails in. There was a conflagration here this spring when organizers decided to go ahead with a small foot race on muddy trails. It took many people, many hours of work afterwards to restore the trails.

Not lost on me.
Every region is different when it comes to the mud thing. It is always good to inquire with your local club/trail builders/lbs if you don't know what is appropriate for your trails. I don't know of many areas where they actually "close" the trails in terms of using ribbons or signage, but I do know of many where locals are expected to know the guidelines. I was in Oregon this weekend. The locals I was riding with were very mindful of the cutoff for how much rain the trails could take before they became unrideable in the sense that bikers are expected to stay off of them. Where I live, people ride in the mud anyway ( dude, don't wreck my ride by telling me when I can and cannot go) and it is a real drag as, as Oakleaf says, it causes irreparable damage. But we also have other areas that drain and dry really fast. So find out what is expected in your area.