It's a matter of perspective.
There's no satisfaction of having conquered a physical challenge, but there is the reward of speed without effort. I especially think on descents around town: "If I were on foot, I would still be having to work to go DOWN this hill..." and that is its own type of satisfaction. No? Satisfaction in the machine making life more efficient.

It's all good until you hit the cattle grates...
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3cb7676366.jpg