Bicycle Tutor

I have heard and read much about how to prepare my bike for a ride but not much about what foods to eat before, during and after the ride. Any thoughts?

You might want to look at some back issues of Bicycling Magazine or VeloNews, as well as their websites for nutritional suggestions - also check Hammer Nutrition.
http://www.hammernutrition.com/

Before a big ride, I eat breakfast with a good mix of carbs & protein. Oatmeal (or waffles with fresh fruit), scrambled eggs, yogurt, and coffee of course. I always give myself an hour or two to digest before starting the ride.

Over the years I've tried many different foods during long rides: Cliff Bars, Shot Blocks, powered drink mixes, etc. Now, I've switch to regular Snickers bars. They're great portable road food. If I feel the need for something more serious, I'll stop at a place like Subway for a small sandwich and potato chips. (I normally avoid potato chips due to the salt, carb, and fat content, but that's exactly what you need on a long ride.)

Fresh fruit is also great if you can carry it with you or find it along the way. I don't have any "routine" for post-ride meal, but pasta seems to always hit the spot.

Don't forget to drink water before, during, and after the ride. I use Nuun tablets to add electrolytes to the water during the ride, and so far I've been cramp-free, even during hellishly hot rides.

We have many organized rides around here (the Seattle area), and most tend to have designated rest stops every 15 miles or so. My theory is: if i don't pee at every rest stop, then I'm not drinking enough.