My story is similar but different I had a full size boys bike (way too big) from sears, my grandparents gave me and my brother identical bikes one year for Christmas. I was probably 8 at the time (1966). After a time mine was stolen and since I needed a replacement I lobbied hard and heavy for a String Ray style bike. I ended up with a Ross Barracuda. This was a 3 speed bike, Maroon in color, very cool. I was 11 then.
After a time I broke the 3 speed hub, my parents had it converted to a single speed coaster brake. I rode that thing when I got my paper route a few years later but saved up my paper money and bought a Raleigh 3 speed, a regular style full size bicycle. I rod that thing to death until I got my first 10 speed bike, also from paper route money this was at the height of the 10 speed popularity I was 15 or 16 then. I put many thousands of miles on the Raleigh 3 speed but learned to love bikes on the 10 speed.
I just within the past month took my 1986 Nishiki Olympic 2x6 out of mothballs. Took it down to the frame and did a few minor upgrades, about $150.00 in total. Classic steel. Been a non-rider for about 15 years but have decided to ride in a metric century this July that is 65 miles. Got a gut to lose.
Good luck with that 1986 bike. I read an article recently, talking about how much better bikes are now, even the cheap ones, than they were 20 years ago. The brakes, the gear changing, the shape of the frame that absorbs bumps better, etc. If you are going to ride those long distances, you might want one that is more modern.
I got my first 10 speed around 1973, so I could ride to junior high. It was a game changer. My friends and I roamed far and wide with those things. Mine was a C.Itoh Japanese off brand, back when Japanese bikes were considered cheap and poorly made. It was ok, but the gears were what made the difference. Of course a few years later, we were driving, and bikes didn’t matter to much to us after that. I had an old Mustang that I wish I still had, just like my Schwinn Stingray.