I've got a few bikes to choose from when going out for a ride. I often choose my Schwinn Continental. It is heavy by "lightweight" bike standards. My other bikes are lighter and also enjoyable. If I get home from a ride 5 minutes earlier because I went faster, my wife won't give me an award, a star or a damn. Don't sweat it. Ride often and the your speed may increase or perhaps you'll notice more stuff along the way. By the way, those fast guys see as much as we do along the way, perhaps less.

A side comment: When I was racing or training, I didn't see what was around me. It could have been beautiful, it could have looked like the surface of the moon, I was focused on the wheel in front of my and what my surrounding riders were doing. Riding for recreation is so much better. And riding on trails rather than on busy roads is so much better.

I'll add that having a bike that feels good is somewhat dependent on it being in good running condition. That is that the bearings in the wheels aren't dragging, the jockey wheels in the rear derailleur aren't gummed up and running smoothly, the crank bearings are running smooth, the chain is oiled or waxed and the wheels are true and never rubbing on the brake blocks. Often when I ride my bikes they seem to move along pretty good on level roads. One more thing that I'll add is that tires are important. Good quality tires feel smoother and may take a little less energy to move along. Panasport Pasela's are my preferred tire. Continental Gatorskin's are good if you ride mostly on roads.

Enjoy the ride.