Coma, your research is appreciated but it is a little much to wade through.
My experience is, before I started stretching regularly (just a few minutes every morning/night and before and after every long ride), My legs would feel like lead the day after a 40 mile ride. Now that I make a point to stretch, I am able to do a 70 or 80 miler and the next day, not be as achy as I was when I didn't stretch... That's all I need to convince me that it's a worthwhile practice.