Cruddy bikes are a way of life over here. Although we have had a good summer- you still get Chain grease on the frame and wheels- dust from the dry roads on the grease and everything gets layered with road dirt. And it is not always that dry- always a bit of moisture at sometime during the rides from field run off. Plenty of reasons to say the bike has to be cleaned regularly and getting the grease off is more than just a hose down job.

At least in the winter or in inclement weather you expect the bike to get dirty. At the minimum it is wash down the chain and relube after every ride. But it is easier to clean a bike when you know it is dirty rather than "It has been a clean ride so I'll just lube the chain." 3 rides like that and the bike needs decontaminating. Or just one long ride will do it.