Well, it probably kinda comes down to me being a rookie too. I've always just ridden on bike paths and neighborhoods. I've never been out in traffic, so I'm trying to pay close attention to that. Also, road imperfections haven't been as much of an issue on bike paths, so I'm not real used to having to look out for that either, although I have been motorcyclist in my past. But motorcycles have suspension that helps some.

I feel like constantly dodging crap in the road is distracting. I try to keep an even cadence and be in the right gear, and keep an eye in the rear view, keep an eye out for spooky pedestrians, cars that are passing me, traffic lights, and if I'm constantly having to look at the ground to miss bumps and decide when I need to stand up or swerve or slow down, then I'm missing other important stuff. But maybe as I learn the road conditions better I won't have to pay as much attention to that and the bike will be fine.