Depending on your body size, you'll want to consume between 240-280 calories an hour. Realize that if you do that with Gels, you'll need about 8 ounces of water with each. I can tell you from personal experience that a day of eating gels is not fun.

I'd look for calorie dense foods such as fig newtons, bagel with PB (or PB&J), Lara bars (all natural), some gels, etc. Carry it in your jersey pockets, a Bento box and wherever else you can stuff it. You should be able to carry what you need in your pockets alone... I know this from personal experience.

This will be a good time to practice what works for you. Personally, I'm eating something every 30 minutes.

Good luck! And report back and let us know how it went.

Carbopro is an excellent source of liquid calories. if you're like me, GU gets old in a hurry. i have used it in long rides and HIMs. give it a looksee:
http://www.nvo.com/sportquestdir/products/skudetail.nhtml?uid=1000

I did my first century in November in Solvang, and am doing another in three weeks in Ventura/Ojai area. On my century ride I probably consumed 4-5 Gels, 2 24 oz. bottles of E-Fuel, and 2 24 oz. bottles of Water (refilled after about 50 miles at aid stations). Basically I would eat a gel every 20 miles, at mile 30 I ate a clif bar and at mile 60 I ate half a PB&J and some trail mix at the aid station. The weather was cool and windy, and my average speed was somewhere around 19-20 MPH, pretty slow but there was about 6,000 Ft. of climbing. I think it depends a lot on the weather. I probably didn't consume as much calories as I needed, but I didn't want to carry a whole lot and I did use aid station foods a couple times so that helps. Anyways, hope this helps and good luck!

My strategy is very similar to KKocan. The only diff is I put 2000cals in 1 24oz bottle and carry one other for water and nuuns. I alternate between water and water/nuun mix .

Limits the amount of carry and ensures I get all the cals and electrolytes. I have been using the concentrated method over a year and used it at two IM races last year.

I belive its BBB who totes a subway sandwich artist with him during IM races. ;)

Pop-tarts taste great on long rides. No kidding.

Awesome tips everyone! Thanks!
I'm especially liking the sound of pop-tarts and Fig Newtons. Perfect simple, starchy foods.
I do need to do better with sports drinks too. I figure for the long ones I'm going to start carrying my camelbak with plain water and a strong sports drink mix in my bottle. I only have one cage but might pick up a second.

I am leaning toward whimping out on the long ride for this weekend and going for a 50 mile race pace ride instead of the 100 mile epic where I'm sure I'd be slooow. My overall objective for this week is supposed to be speed work rather than adding distance.

-Grant-

2 bottles of Perpetuam, 2 gels, 3 Ecaps an hour, PBJ sandwich, 1 power bar. This worked perfectly for me last year on all my 100 to 115 mile rides. I never cramped. Biggest problem with comfort from being in the saddle for 6 hours. Pop tarts are the reward for fifishing but would be great on the ride as well.

What about them sodium tablets... anyone have any experience with them?

I am a big fan of the shot blocks too, but I also like to take gels. I'm not hard core enough to make it with no solids though. Even if it is just cliff bars, I like to take something to chew. For how I roll, (slooooowwwww, that is) I don't see a problem with taking a sandwich or cookies....or a milkshake........or some pizza. Hey, you've got the pockets, fill 'em up with the good stuff, right?

My suggestion to prevent bonking is to not neglect nutrition for the first two hours even though you may be feeling fine. Once you slump, it is hard to get enough in the tank to get you back up to speed quickly.