I use the shotblocks and love them. Much easier to use than gels and much more palatable too. I like the Cran/raz ones best, but have some blueberries ones at the mo that are also great...

Energy drink is another good way of keeping up energy on the bike. Make sure it contains salts to avoid cramping in those last hours of the ride!

I like the Fizik saddles Emm and ride long distances on them... I prefer a narrow men's racing saddle like the arion over everything else. Women's specific gel saddle gave me a numb bum

Saddles are very personal. What is most importnat is that you measure the distance your sitbones are apart and take it from there. Weight on the saddle should be on the sitbones and nowhere else, certainly not on the pelvic area!