I can't do the goos and gels, but I'm a big fan of Tailwind (non-caffeinated for me, but they make both) mixed in my water bottles. A couple scoops is 200 calories - all carbs/sugars and some salts. If I'm over 50+ miles, I can do a Clif Bar (or similar) towards the end, as someone else mentioned. I have also found that if I eat real food, it needs to be in small portions (also as mentioned above) - raisins are my go-to there.

I used Cytomax in my bottles for several years. It really rotted my teeth - I paid for a good portion of my dentist's new Mercedes. I switched to Hammer's HEED, which contains maltodextrin and xylitol. Xylitol is a tooth decay preventative to some extent, in any case no more tooth decay. I like their lemon-lime. However HEED and Tailwind are both very expensive - about ~$12/lb., which is nuts. I buy maltodextrin from a homebrew supply house in 50# bags for less than $2/lb. I use the maltodextrin in the malto/whey protein mix I use on long rides.

Now I'm thinking about making my own version of HEED. I have no idea of what the appropriate malto/xylitol ratio would be. I only know there's less xylitol than malto in HEED. Anyone?

Thanks for the tip on the tooth-decay issues. I've not heard of that before.
Would you mind sharing your malto/whey protein mix recipe or ratios?
I'm new to the idea of mixing my own, so this may be a simple question: If you made your own HEED, what would you use for flavoring?
Thanks.

7/1 maltodextrin/whey protein by weight. I use chocolate flavored whey protein. The result has a very mild flavor and is not sweet. I mix up a big batch in an empty 5 lb. whey container.

Flavoring: good question. I used to use malto, no whey, and flavored it with Hammer Nutrition gel, bulk in the pint bottle. It's a strong flavor though. People behind me could tell what flavor I was using. I suppose I could have used less. There's probably a flavored electrolyte product out there, no nutrition, just electrolytes. One wants a mild flavor.

I googled "flavored electrolyte powder". So many choices and many of them crazy expensive. I've been using XTEND, a BCAA powder with flavor and electrolytes, mango flavor. It doesn't take much - a scoop makes a gallon at the strength I use just for random drinking at home.

I know a triathlete who spends over $1000/year on Hammer nutrition. IT person, she also has 3 coaches.

Thanks. I've never even considered making my own stuff, but this is helpful.
As for $1000/year on nutrition and three coaches, well.... I guess if you've got to spend it somewhere, that's better than some alternatives, but I'll keep paying for the heat in my house and a good bike once in a while.