Originally Posted by
earth2pete
not an expert, but i read that stretching is actually what it sounds like--stretching. the benefits of stretching being to elongate particular muscle groups, which adds flexibility. this is something like exercise, it takes time to create flexibilty. i read flexibility can increase muscle power in sports in which a greater range of motion delivers more power. not sure that applies in cycling, since you are limited to a specific range of motion. but i'm waiting for replies of those disagreeing, i like learning.
My reading on this says that elongating the muscles by stretching is counterproductive for cycling. We want the muscles compact, because we aren't using the full range of motion. The book I mentioned also recommends keeping the feet flexed, rather than pointed, for similar reasons.