Right After This Photo I Spilled My Espresso Tonic

But not before I had the chance to get three sips in. Three pricey sips, at about a buck-fifty each. At least I have the leftover tonic.

Every time I ride on Saturday I’m faced with the first-world dillemma (or are we calling them developed nations now?) of which Old Town coffee shop to pick from.

Berdena’s, the new kid on the block with great espresso drinks and stellar avocado toast. But crowded storefront means long lines and nowhere to sit.

Regroup Coffee and Bikes, for reliable Presta cortados and bike talk. I need to stock up on some CO2s too…

Cartel, the old faithful and stalwart source of fancy pop tarts. But some part of me said goodbye to Cartel when I left Tempe.

Perhaps Super Chunk is worth a visit (that’s a rhetorical question: it certainly is) for their extraordinary baked goods and desserts. But I’m “on a diet” and can’t seem to justify that; I only rode 56th after all.

I settled on Fourtillfour Coffee, of course. If you’ve been here, you’d recognize it from the minimalist wooden bar or the herd of Porsches out front. The primarily outdoor seating area is a no brainer for Scottsdale in the winter, and the decor is novel but tasteful. Plus on Saturdays, petrolheads gather round to show off their vintage German autos which is always a treat.