Nutrition on the road - What, How and Why?

All energy food is fucking grim. Try and eat normal food for as long as you can. Under intense activity you won't be able to consume enough volume of food to sustain yourself so you'll have to eat something energy rich. When this happens I try and eat half bars every hour for a maximum of 4 hours. Gels are for emergency purposes only IMO.

I agree with Señor.
Try and eat as properly before (which includes the night before the morning).
The Velominati will tell you to follow Rule 91

Clif bars (blueberry) are OK.
The best I've tried are 'Pro' bars but I think they are only sold in the US.
A Clif - shot 'blok' is like a nice fruit pastille and I actually quite like it, but I have one or two more to give my brain something to think about it rather than for the 'fuel'.