Bicycle Mechanics - Grime and grease on my cogs and chain

I have been having to ride a lot lately in the rain and my chain and rear cogs have developed a bunch of grime on them. What should I do, just wipe it off and then drop lubricant on there?
Or could i get a water hose and wash away everything and then put on lube?

Thanx

Leave it till spring. The gunge has been moved out of the way of the chain. If you move it around, it will work its way inside the chain and wear it down.
Thats my excuse anyway. Between Sept and April, my daily commuter bike gets a bit of chain lube every week, but no cleaning.

agreed! it's a losing battle.

my fixie sees a lot of winter riding. i'll wipe down the (steel) frame after nasty rides to remove corrosive salt and such, but not much else. in the spring, i'll disassemble, refresh the rust proofing and overhaul all the bearing assemblies and drivetrain and such.

I'll dis-agree to certain point. When it getts wet again the water may/will flush that grime into the moving mechanisms. At that point it acts like sandpaper and wears down the components. You dont have to go all crazy cleaning it, maybe wipe it down real good with a shop rag. Be sure to wipe off the front chainrings, derailleur pully wheels, chain and in between the rear cogs.