Marcus Aurelius wrote:Step 1 clogged mudguards.
Step 2 hospitalisation ( or worse ) due to clogged mudguards, causing a big ‘off’.
Take them off, whilst you still can, throw them away, fit an ass saver.
OK if you don't ride in cold wet weather,last winter I came across an MTB rider wet and muddy head to foot and shivering uncontrollably outside a cafe trying to get warm with a cup of coffee and a cake,because he'd no mudguards save one of those poor excuses that attach to the seatpost andnthe cafe owner had asked him to eat outside as he'd make a mess of the seating for other customers.
Now the MTBer could've carried a couple of bin bags to sit on but he didn't.
Another point,a few winters back I punctured on a swept and exposed bridleway with he temp at around 4C with a vey cold wind chill factor and fading light,I had mudguards fitted and was dressed for the weather,nevertheless I got very cold whilst changing the tube and could barely speak when I got to a cafe I frequent with had a sympathetic owner,who saw my predicament and let me warm up even though she was read for closing.
The thing is if it had been raining or even if I'd ridden through a large puddle or two I would've been even colder possibly hypothermic.
Decent mudguards aren't just for guarding against mud and wet,and if correctly fitted with enough clearance and with decent mud flaps can be a lifesaver in some cirmustances and keep you clean in all others,also IME a ride through a big enough puddle cleans off the crud under them as well as cleaning any mud out of tyre treads without getting the rider wet at all.