Training & Nutrition - Post ride leg cramps

After a long ride I usually make sure I stretch, and then when I go to sleep, I am awoken by stabbing pain in my legs due to intense muscle cramps. Is there anything I can do to stop this?

Are you drinking enough water before, during, and after the ride?
Do you drink Gatorade, Powerade, etc.?

here is some good info for you that might help.

http://www.digitalnaturopath.com/cond/C466089.html

Muscle cramping is usually due to not stretching, dehydration, or loss of electrolytes. You seem to have the stretching covered, so I would concentrate in staying very well hydrated, and either supplement your water intake with some Gatorade, or eat bananas instead of whatever you are using as a pre-ride or in-ride snack. The potassium will keep you from cramping up. Also, if you take a break during a ride, keep it short (10-15 mins. tops), so that your muscles don't get too cooled off.

DEMON

I have been susceptible to cramps during and after rides. I usually try to consume something high in electrolytes as well as 16-24 oz of water prior to a ride. Food intake could be raisin bran, bananas, or Yoplait Nourishe. Of the two water bottles I carry, one is Cytomax the other H2O. I started this routine this year. No cramps.

For me, calcium ended my leg cramps. I carry a couple Citrical (sp?) tablets with me on longer, harder rides and take one if I feel cramps coming on. Usually I'm back to normal in a few minutes.
Cramping is a highly personal thing so just experiment with what everyone suggests.