Although I may eat during a ride, I find it very important to manage what I eat before I ride. The biggest problem is early morning rides in the heat of the summer. Eat too much, or the wrong thing and the blood supply is occupied in the digestive system. Eat too little or the wrong thing and its very easy to bonk. Surprisingly, a peanut butter sandwich seems to do it for me. During the ride an energy bar about covers it.