Bike washing

I like to ride my bike. Since it rains so much here in Bavaria, that pretty much means riding in the rain, or at least the wet, which means the bike gets messy. If it's an off-road ride on the mountain bike, the bike gets really messy! Eventually, the mess has to get cleaned. I've not yet figured out how to accomplish that here.

Back home, I'd just hose it off in the driveway. Here, no driveway, no hose, and oh by the way, such activities are apparently illegal. Take it to the carwash? I've only seen the automated ones, which wouldn't work (although could be fun to try once!) Some have a pre-cleaning area with a hose, but I can just imagine the fit the fussy Germans would have about the muddy mess left behind.

So, any suggestions?

Tie it to a rope and dip it in the Isar, the colour it is at the moment means no one will notice!

Maybe try a high-pressure jet washer as available at many Munich garages.

Glad to hear you get your bike dirty

I have the same problem cleaning my bike. Tried a watering can out the front of the flat but the process is slow, and sometimes a neighbour complains about the oil from the chain going into the environment But then I just say it's olive oil. Nowadays I use a garage pressure hose instead, but be very carefull with these - don't put it too close to the paintwork, greased bearings or suspension seals. Also works well on legs & cycling shoes

Thanks. I guess it's time for a survey of the local pit stops to see who's got what.

There used to be a bike washing machine at the Aumeister Biergarten at the top of the English Garden, don't know if it's still there or if it's only there in the summer. Good excuse to check out the biergarten though!

If you figure it out, let me know. I actually bought a bucket and brush for just this purpose the other day. At this point, I wash it on my balcony and hope that no one happens to walk by below while I'm doing it.

I know some people in the states that would put their bikes in the tub and do it there. Improvisation is the thing of apartment living.

I find it's a pain in the ass as well, the place where I take my bike to be serviced said that they would not service it if it was muddy, trouble is, if you use a jet wash then it really is easy to screw up gear adjustments not to mentions seal and bearings (as already mentioned)...

I use a bucket and an old brush

I used to just let the mud dry and then use a soft bristle brush to wipe it off (the colored parts). I would use a regular garden hose on the wheels and frame but try to avoid the rear derailleur, chain and anyplace there are bearings (hubs and bottom bracket).

It's better to wash it off when the mud is still fresh (if possible) but it's usually the last thing you want to do when you get back.

Bucket and scrubber/brush works for me. But I try not to do it that often, my bike likes to get dirty and stay dirty.

For the chain you can get this stuff called "Pedros organic degreaser". Spray it on and wait a few minutes before wiping the crap off with an old towel. Works fairly well and is relatively environmentally friendly. Although, I must say the snow does quite a good job at bike cleaning just now on the trails around Tegernsee