Any tips for washing off sticky clay mud from bike?

[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?