ctpres,
I wouldn't sweat the short/few pauses you have in that ride. Other than your concerns about the pedaling, or lack of it, while drinking on the ride this doesn't seem excessive. As you ride more you will get the balance necessary to keep pedaling while taking a sip from the bottle or hydration system. To me it does seem like kind of over thinking your data. If you are keeping a good, even, steady cadence while riding and your speed isn't overly low just go for better cadence numbers and let the continuation of your pedaling come naturally. Maybe the racers here can give you some pointers on this, they seem better able to continually pedal longer than I ever will.

Bill