To those who live in rainy climates with some snow or ice, I hear ya.

I used to have the previous seasons race bike outfitted with full fenders and water bottle mud flaps not only to keep me dry but also not to spray the faces of those I might ride with. This was simply what was done.

If you think salt and sand doesn't destroy drive trains, and any bearings, you must not ride enough. I used to have to soak my rr der in a solvent tank once a winter because the grime would work its way in there and seize the der up but good.

I would go through two chains and maybe even a second cassette each winter. Brake pads would wear in a few weeks and rims would get worn over a winter of two. Tires would get chewed up and spat out.

The grime would also destroy shorts and shorten the life of a saddle. Bar tape? Right.

The liners in my cable housings would be changed mid winter and cables to boot as they would be so scored by grit that shifting was impossible.

I would break out the new bike as soon as I could but it never seemed soon enough.