For me stretching helps. I don't do full on static stretching and it takes me about 2 minutes to do them. Most of the hard stretching I do after the ride. Before it's just some of the basic light movements with my back, arms and legs in the focus just to the point where it feels comfortable. I think it gives my body heads up that the change in the activity is coming and it gets my body fluids going a little. I've been doing this before every ride and never did I notice any problems and my strength is fine and well. The point is to listen to YOUR body more and less to some experts who are trying to write the bible.