I would like to direct this to those who started riding a bike later in life.

I'm 55 and learned to ride at age 49, did not ride a bike as a kid. All of my riding is in the country on roads with little traffic. Sometimes on state highways with traffic but wide shoulders.

I sometimes have a problem keeping my pedal stroke going, examples:

A vehicle approaches from either ahead or behind me, sometimes I get tense and stop pedalling for a moment. I find it helps if I purse my lips and breathe out against resistance.

I have difficulty going from coasting down a hill to pedalling. If I'm coasting, and the hill gets less steep or a headwind is slowing me down, I cannot easily restart pedalling again. Sometimes I have to wait until I have slowed down a lot before I can make my legs go again.

I do best when I ride every day, and worst when I do not ride for several days. I also seemed to do well after watching the Tour de France on tv for 3 weeks.

I ride with both hands on the hoods, cannot ride with one hand, or eat/drink while riding.

I was wondering if any other "late learners" have experienced these problems, and how they have tried to resolve them.

Thanks.

Bill