Are you still in NYC....may make a bit of difference
but you would be way ahead getting nice used bike or new bike, especially as an old not that highend bike, left outside for a year, maybe with french thread is going to be total pain, the learning will be diluted by frustration
you can start to learn by doing maintenance on the new or new to you bike
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Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)