Thanks Ladies!
I'll try splitting my intake of the food/gel as suggested: Gel on the hour, food on the half hour. It will work on my trainer right now (sorry Nanci, I can't use wind, weather or hills as an excuse yet ). This weekend is 37 miles so I'll let you know what happens. In a mtb race I would rather only carry gel with me instead of real food - it's hard to eat on the trail since I usually need both hands for steering. I did order some of the succeed tablets you suggested so I'll try that.

The date/nut mixture was a suggestion I read here and my stomach can handle it. I find I like to "munch" on something as opposed to an all liquid fueling.

My new road bike is due in this week - I got a Terry symmetry! I am so pshyced to get out on the road!!!!