Some interesting methods and ideas. I have to wonder if some of you are wearing gloves.
IMHO, individually wrapped candy is not conducive to riding and eating. And waiting until you stop to hydrate is bad when you are long distance riding.
I use 1/2 cup Ziploc brand plastic containers. They have a tab on the lid that makes opening them with one hand easier. 2 of these will fit in the back of my tank bag, side by side. One has hard candy, the other cut up pieces of beef stick. Easy to find at gas stops, quick to cut up and dump into the container. Less of a flossing issue than jerky.
I never stop to eat during a rally. My preference is Arbys and roast beef Jr sandwiches. No sauce to make a mess, just beef & bin. 2nd choice is McDs and cheeseburgers. Both taste the same hours later. I usually get 5 early in a rally at a drive thru and that gets me thru the day. Not uncommon for me to eat the last one in a hotel room at the end of the day. (multi-day rallies.)
I carry a one gallon insulated jug for hydration. Its an old thermos brand version 13 that is short and squat instead of tall and narrow like most of the current offerings. Cost $5 on ebay and was like new. A 8" cake pan from Walmart, 7' of 1" webbing and a trip to the equine supply to visit the tack repair lady and I have a solid mount with quick release straps. This is mounted on the top of my flat bed fuel cell. I Dremel cut a couple of slots in the cake pan for the straps before going to the equine supply.
You need more water than a Camelbak system holds when covering ground in triple digit heat, especially in the west. Jugs are arguably quicker to fill, insulated and often cheaper too. With 11 gallons of fuel, the gallon of water lasts between fuel stops, usually.
Protection - I have not found the need for more than good situational awareness and a 3 D cell Maglight. It helps that I am 230lbs and a former Marine. The hassle of carrying a firearm on the road is not worth the security, for me.