Ok, let's talk eating on the bike.

Like Birkie says it is quite easy just a skill you need to learn and practice. Another gel method is taping them to your top tube on the tab portion then ripping one off at a time and the tab stays attached to your top tube. I stuff the packet garbage up the leg of my right tri shorts and then toss it at aid stations if I remember as I find that easier than reaching for my back pocket which may have clean stuff in it.

Do you have aerobars? If so you can do just about anything leaning on your aerobar pads with your forearms as you can do things with your hands and still stay in balance.

I'd suggest playing around with opening packages and eating while doing trainer rides if you are riding inside at all.

Depending on what you eat you can put partially opened items in your bento box.

You can always go with all liquid calories and take all you need in from something like Gatorade Endurance or Infiiti.

x2. I have a Bento Box and before my HIMs, I would open a pack of Clif Shot Bloks and a Larabar - dump them into the box so I didn't have to mess with the wrappers. Throw in a few GUs and I'm good to go.

Of course, you have to remember to clean the Bento Box every once in awile

X2.  I use Gel Flasks as well.  No wrappers or pulling open gels with your teeth.  If you don't want to use Gels, as others have said get a Bento Box and break up food into bite size pieces.  

like everyone else said...practice...but the flask is nice. Add a little water to loosen it up and it works like a charm. 

Also....my secret bike food.....Little Debbie Oatmeal Pies (170 cal per pie)....from the beginning to probably 3/4 the way through the bike then back to gel and liquid for the last quarter to get the stomach ready for the run.

Calculate everything and make a plan, stick to the plan as long as possible BUT ALWAYS have a plan B and C incase something isn't working with your stomache. 

Congrats on training for the first HIM!

Just my 2 cents, opinion and tips.....

I like to slap an unwrapped power bar to the top tube of my bike. You just peel a chunk off when you need one. Also a bento box filled with Sports Beans is like a candy dish....just dip your hand in and pull a few out.  I also use Infinite. The bottom line is you need to figure out what your stomach can handle during your long training rides, and work out a "calories IN and OUT per half hour" type of chart so you can make sure you get in enough on the bike to not end up in a huge deficit.  The bike should be a rolling buffet, because once you start running, it's harder for your stomach to take a lot in.

With respect to this post, he SELLS InfinIT....seriously..

Trial and error...it's about getting the proper calories and fuel....Try several methods and find what works for you and your GI...

Pretty well known that Michael sells Infinit, and even if you didn't know that his name and sig information make that clear.

And he gives out pretty solid information, while not overtly shilling his product other than to say that he prefers liquid nutrition (which is great, I'll shill it without a worry).  Infinit is certainly better than ho hos and grape juice, or whatever he posted

Although you used the sarcastic font, so not sure if you are saying there is some transparency issue or not......

opps

I only do races with a drive through,, to much waiting in line kills my time.

Friend at CdA stopped at a Subway on the bike route on each loop for a 6 incher.

Did he pre order those? Did they make it fresh each time or just had them all made at once?  Did he get them toasted?  So many unanswered questions.

 I thought that is what your drop bags were for anyways.

 That is why I like having an ultra marathon background.  I am the only person who will travel 50 miles on foot and gain weight. .

I so have to remember pickle juice ( ok I honestly do not get that one at all).