Thanks for the advice everyone.
When's your first century ... and what is it?
American Diabetes Association Tour de Cure, June 16 in Fargo, ND. Second one is the Headwaters 100 around Itasca State Park in MN which is home to the headwaters of the Mississippi. The second one is not a charity ride, just beautiful scenery.
-- a bicycle in good repair.
I thought it was very cool that the Diabetes Association teamed up with three LBSs who not only sponsor the events, but give free (required to ride) inspections. You have to take your bike into an LBS within 30 days of the ride and have a certificate signed after they go through a checklist. I think you can also download the form and go to any bike shop at your own cost, if any.
On the subject of road food. This might not be the usual, but has worked well on training rides for me. Our local Subway sandwich shop sells three oatmeal raisin cookies for $1.50 which combined with a sports drink and a bottle of water is perfect for my recreational 50+ mile rides. A cookie and a few glugs of water and a sip of sports drink every 15-20 miles does the trick. I just tuck the bag of cookies into my top tube bag along with my cell phone and camera. They're easy to eat one handed if I don't feel like stopping. Tastier than many "energy" bars.