Sigh. It's that time of year again, when my lovely shiny steed morphs into a lowly winter hack. The raceblade mudguards are on and my bike's lit up like a Christmas tree.

I've just recently come out of hibernation and am really ramping up the miles - but now the cold wet weather has hit and I'm back on the trainer when it's damp outside.
What a wimp!

I was just wondering how hardy you TE girls are? I actually don't mind getting wet and grubby, have lots of technical, waterproof gear, but recoil in horror when my drive train gets clagged with thick black sludge and liquid cow poo!
I'm quite fastidious about cleaning and lubing and there's nothing more disheartening than having a whole morning's work wiped away with a quick spin on wet, mucky roads.
Do you ride when it's wet and mizzly and just resign yourself to a once a week fettle with a bucket and brush - or do you hit the trainer on grey wintry days?

Roll on next year, when I upgrade to a summer best bike and my current pride and joy gets relegated to official winter hack.