For shorter rides (2-3 hrs) I try to eat a few hours before hand, and only have a muesli bar for emergencies in the pack. For longer rides I usually take some salty, spicy bite sized salamis, muesli bars, and anything laying around (pizza, apples, cheese, peanut butter, or like last time I had some apple pie wrapped up). I've never really felt the need for any sort of energy product. For me pre- and between ride nutrition is more important...I basically just eat a ton of food with a good balance of vegetables and fruit.