importance of pre/during nutrition

As I've been training, I've been trying out various nutritional strategies. I've learned along the way, that what I eat has a huge impact on how I feel during the ride and how well I perform.

To date, I feel the best when I keep my caffiene intake high & eat power bars. The caffiene helps to supplement my absent sympathetic nervous system & my body seems to respond well to the power bars.

I've learned that a smoothies with whey protein are not a good pre or during ride meal, but they are a good post-ride choice.

I've learned that sudafed is a must, as is caffeine.... both pre-ride & during ride.

I've learned that during the ride bananas alone don't work and that milk doesn't work as well.

My pre-ride meal can either be eggs, toast with jelly/jam and coffee with half-half OR 2 powerbars & coffee and half-half... oh and sudafed..

I've learned that the first hour is always going to suck, but it'll suck a whole lot worse if I don't eat right.
I've learned the middle & final hours only suck if I don't eat right, don't take in caffeine & don't take sudafed on schedule.

Therefore, the total suckiness of my ride depends heavily on eating right!!

I think I'm going to be very tired of power bars when this is all said & done..