I hooked into a small group (7 riders) that rides on Saturday mornings at 7:30AM from the Lifetime Fitness on NorthStar Rd and 190 in Garland...  They do a significant amount of the Popsicle Ride route, up NorthStar/LosRios, etc, at a 16-18mph pace, keeping things conversational.
 
We braved the weather forecast and radar this morning, getting in 25 miles (@ 16 average) just before 9:30AM, with only a minor sprinkle in the last few minutes, and I made it home and into the garage without getting dumped on -- so the timing was perfect!!!
 
Richard and Lynn, you could ride with this group, as an alternative to the EastSide ride...