Oh, I don't mean to suggest using Hammer Gel exclusively, although I get the impression some long distance riders do, generally it seems along with some liquid calorie supplement like Sustained Energy or Perpetuem or Ensure. I personally like to have solid food on long rides too. Which solid foods, well, that we can all spend days discussing.

I just find the Hammer Gel to be an excellent quick pick-me-up, and since I started using it (granted, only for a few weeks now), I have yet to get that pre-bonk lightheaded feeling that I typically used to experience at one point or another in nearly all of my longer rides. And it does really help with the mid-ride doldrums. As does a can of Coke or Pepsi or Red Bull.