I strongly disagree (depending on what the guy normally eats ).

Your body will be working hard all day. You need to give it fuel. Stuffing down a few energy bars 20 miles into the ride doesn't do that. (Most people don't want to eat much during the ride anyway, insisting that they're not hungry.) On the other hand, you don't want to tax your digestive system or cause nausea. Eating fats or high-protein foods, or eating too close to riding are each to be avoided.

I normally eat a bowl of cereal or a pot of yogurt in the morning. But for a ride that starts at 8am, I'll have a big bowl of pasta at 6am (fresh (best) or nuked). Pasta is easy for the body to turn into energy, and 2 hours is more than enough time for it to slide on through. I feel fine all day during the ride on maybe a banana and cookie per stop, but will start eating more after 70 mi or so.

More than food, though, concentrate on staying hydrated. Monitor how much you drink, and keep it up to a predetermined level - one bottle every half-hour is a fair rule.