when to eat before exercise

[bicycledebbie]

There have been some discussions in the bicycle club I ride with about when to eat before riding. Some say eat a good dinner, then don't eat anything until after back from the ride. We are riding 30 to 35 miles at a brisk pace. I eat the McDougall multigrain cereal with whole oat groats and 6 other whole grains topped with blueberries and a banana. I don't think I could ride without eating first. I eat about 1 hour 30 minutes before the ride. What are your thoughts on this topic? I am 74 and ride with people 10-20 years younger than me.