Congratulations, Susan!
Cycling, next to being with the Lord, Himself every morning, is the closest thing I know to freedom/flying/decompression/Rx injection.
 
Regarding the brake, my guess is cable has frozen in the housing.  If the vehicle is only used in dry conditions, and especially if it's in constant use, no problems.  Even if you use it in the wet, as I did all last year, if it's in constant use, no problems.  (Though it is good to try to blow as much of the moisture out as possible.)  But even atmospheric moisture over time, with inactivity, can freeze up those lines.  Same thing in your cable-actuated automobile brake lines.
Just my thoughts.  
 
Good on ya for your return to freedom!

Susan, great to here you are back on the road again. Yes, God does answer prayer,it's why I'm still here    Hope your hip problems are behind you from now on.