Cycling Gear: cleaning bike chain and gears??

I found the following advice to be invaluable (quoting directly from this linked article from the Rapha-Condor team mechanic: http://www.raphacondor.cc/club/chain-cleaning-workshop-tips-by-andy-verrall) 

"From your bike or car accessories shop buy some engine degreaser such as Jizer or Auto Glym (do not use brands such as Gunk which are far too strong), and put it into a small spray type can which you use for indoor plants etc. Simply spray this onto the cassette as you turn the pedals backwards and in doing so the chain gets a covering too. Then spray the chainrings. Using a small paint brush, say 1”, work the degreaser into the cassette rings and chain both inside and outside and also work the brush into the jockey wheels along with the rear and front mechs.

It is best to use a hose to wash away the degreaser again, and turning the pedals backwards direct the water onto the cassette then the rings. Do not forget the front and rear mechs.

Now your drive train is pretty clean but it still needs some soapy water to finish the job. Soak a sponge in the soapy water and place it around the chain, again turning the pedals backwards giving the whole chain a good wash, then work the sponge into the chainrings along with the front and rear mechs. At the same time do not forget to get the frame cleaned around the front mech behind the chainset and along the stays. Take a look at many bikes and see how dirty they are in these areas!! Take a stiffer brush, such as one used for washing in the kitchen sink, soak with soapy water then work well into the cassette.
Now just hose off the soapy water, dry with a clean rag and you now have a nice clean drive train all ready for lubrication. Apply a thin layer of oil to both the inner and outer side of the chain – we use finish line wet lube as at all times this works very well. Finally, using a spray can of a thin oil/silicone spray like GT 85 gently spray the jockey wheels of the inner spring of the rear mech along with the limit screws of the front mech to keep everything smooth and free moving.

Should you not have access to a hose, a watering can will do, but use plenty of water to remove both the degreaser and soapy water. This operation should take no longer than five minutes. Do this every few rides and notice the difference in the free running of the drivetrain. In bad weather do this after every training ride as the chain collects grit and with a build up of oil this acts like a grinding paste to wear out the chain and teeth on the cassette/chainrings.

This advice applies to your racing or training bike. For a daily commute/training bike used to and from work I would suggest you do this at least every weekend, and maybe once midweek in the winter time too."

Hope this helps!