When riding solo, I'm using one ear bud on my iPod this season and it's a great distractor / motivator.
As for taking in the scenery, I must admit that I rarely do. It's not that I'm working too hard, it's just that I zone out while being singularly focused on riding. I lose myself cycling. I just get on the bike and pedal. I have no need to solve the worlds' problems for me. It's quiet time for my brain.