I ride a 10 year old bike, I don't think it's ever been cleaned. The first 2 years were spent riding, but the next 6 were basically sitting in a garage or shed. Now I have it out again. But still, although there are minor problems (rear der. can't get into lowest gear, probably a dirty cassette, and recently front der. was having problems getting to lowest as well, but i suspect it's the deraileur itself), it rides alright for the most part. That's all that matters to me, for it to run. Maybe if I have time, I'll flip the thing over and give it a nice clean up, but I've been telling that to myself for the past 6 months.

It's how people perceive the maintenance of the bike. Some wish it more, some less.