I have tried it successfully a few times.  Hit the wall and been on the verge of collapse.  Riding buddies have then bailed me out with all sorts of goodies.  Charles & Mike Smith are the best, i have had lavish banquets out of their camelbacks before

Obviously i repay the favour if anyone is riding with me and struggling.  I once did a ride with Carl & Steve Waters.  2/3rds of way around i felt fine and they looked hungry so i gave them my last bar.  It was one of them garage special blocks of chocolate and museli.  Weight about 2lbs.  They split it and we set off.  I emmidiately went bang and had to do about 10mls in granny gear hardly able to hang on to the bike.  I was so hungry and tired i was hallucinating.

lol 

I have to eat loads on rides, must be my metabolism, I am one hungry horace.

But even that is nothing compared to what the Missus takes out on a ride, she has enough grub for three days on a 50km ride!

Resists the urge.....

when i do large rides i always forget to eat, then hit the wall. i really have to plan food stops and force myself to eat, otherwise 4 hours later its far to late to get the energy, And Karlos

Fnarr Fnarrr

Plenty of blackberries on their last legs out there, just forage.

Only time i've ever had an energy gel was hitting the wall on the wall. I was spent but still alert enough to notice how fundamentally minging it was. I make a point of taking real food on rides. Nice to tuck into a rare beef ciabattta when your buddies are forcing themselves to enjoy overpriced energy tosh

Flapjack's a good-un. Always take a gel or two and a couple of Torq Bars but never seem to really eat much - just don't feel like it. Plus, what tastes good at home never does out on the trails.

I try and remember to eat a bar every 2hrs, which isn't often enough if you're out for say 5+ hrs. Plus a powder mixed in the CamelBak.

Tim

ps - can't beat a bacon sarnie or two and the Egg Mc Muffines take some beating before a long ride. They both stay down in my experience which is a bonus!

wouldnt like to meet you when your fit then,took me 6hrs the 1st time i did it,and i was completely fecked