[grepthisab]

Serious/competitive cyclist here, I often use real food. Small two bite sandwiches, etc wrapped in foil. I've also done this with yams, steam a whole one and add salt, wrap the whole thing in aluminium foil. Put in jersey pocket. Super easy to pull out and take a bit or two and put back. Easier than gels actually.

[jdietrich]

Most elite soigneurs include some amount of real food in their musettes, if only for reasons of palatability and morale. Team Sky's rice cakes have become a firm favourite throughout the peloton:

https://thesuchef.com/2014/07/29/team-sky-rice-cakes/