Typically a 20-25 mile ride with about 2000ft climbing..
I havent quite got enough energy to see me through if its a higher tempo ride.
Is it best to eat just before, during or just eat jelly babies etc when i feel im running out? Typically i eat 1hr before (normally breakfast of 3 weetabix).

On the road you should be ok without anything, off road that’s maybe 2 hours I would be working towards no food but maybe a banana, flapjack, malt loaf or gel half way should be ample

road or mountain? (is it time for a road section on the forum?)

I wouldn’t normally bother eating with something of that distance/duration.

eat at least an hour before, maybe add fruit like a banana to the Weetabix, you shouldn’t need anything during

Road rides..
Its just about the limit of my range of starting to run out of energy.
Just curious when is condsidered best to eat??

off road that’s maybe 2 hours

Pleased I don’t ride with you then, I’d be ****! (well I would be in Swaledale anyway)

FWIW when I do ride in the Dales I rarely take food, just drink (Gin usually) 😉 My mate however takes loads. I can manage on my lard that I carry all the time. Even on BIG days out I take food but rarely feel the need to eat. Till after, then I can & have, eaten a whole cow. (not really but you know what I mean)

before you run out, I normally manage about 80km before issues but I know I need to eat sooner (also post ROADIE QUESTION as it really is different to riding 25 miles on a mountain bike)

So classic answer eat before you need to

20-25 miles?So 60-90 minutes.
Should’nt need anything during if you eaten properly before hand.
I used to commute that each way to work.3 weetabix for breakfast and soup for lunch.

I suppose were all different but that distance of the road you should be ok without food. If your slim and fit it shouldn’t be too much over an hour so you won’t need anything and if your a lardy(like me) and not too quick it may take longer but by not eating you’ll be burning fat.

Just take a drink you’ll be fine.