I try to always start the ride as soon as it's light out and so when I get up at 4:30 to ride at 5:30, I always plan to finish my oatmeal 1 hour before we begin riding. I eat 1/2 cup dry oatmeal (microwaved) + 1 packet sweetener + 1 scoop vanilla protein mixed in the oatmeal after it's cooked. Doesn't sit heavy and goes down easily. I also start eating something solid and do the gel thing/drinking thing regularly. Beef jerkey, sport beans, trail mix, banana etc. work well for me.