I always ride first thing in the morning and rarely eating anything before heading out. This morning I did 30 easy miles starting at 5:45am with nothing but an espresso while getting dressed, and two bottles of water on the bike. I brought a gel, but forgot to eat it. This is typical for any ride under 2 hours. Nothing but water and gels.
If I'm going out for 2-3hrs, I'll have a banana or maybe some yogurt/granola or toast with peanut butter first, then bring a few gels along. Typically 1 gel per hour. I don't often do rides over 3-3.5hrs, but in those cases I'd probably think more about what I'm eating before, and plan a stop along the way at a coffee shop for something to eat, and also maybe use a sports drink in one of my bottles.
YMMV. I spent years in running groups that met early in the morning and everyone was different. I couldn't ever run with food in my stomach, and I think just got used to rolling out of bed and going.