Originally Posted by chasm54

Ah, OK. In that case I think the answer is to eat something suitable before you start. Complex carbohydrate, not just simple sugar. Oatmeal and a banana an hour before you start would be good, for example, but even sandwiches would be OK . Then while riding, follow machka's advice above. Energy bars are convenient and you can see exactly how many calories you're eating, but dried fruit works - whatever, as long as you can digest it easily.