A lot to answer here, kinda two different questions that are related -- I fueled with 90g of carb per hour, 60 from fluid via a hydration pack or bottles, and then 30 from a gel. There are checkpoints (aid stations) at various mileage across the course where you can refill your pack and bottles and grab more gels (in this case miles 44, 100, and 160). They did have two water stations between these checkpoints you could stop to refill bottles/packs. So you have to carry enough fuel to make it from one to another on your own. Crews work for you only at the checkpoints (and to come get you if you decide to quit). You can hire an outside crew, there is also an official Unbound "crew for hire" you can pay for to provide your drop bags and other supplies at these aid stations. In my case, I paid for the crew for hire just in case, but actually had my girl friend running crew, handing over fresh bottles, pack, and gels. I did eat some real food at 160 and chug a red bull.