“To the next level”

"I enjoy riding and racing, so in that sense it does not need much dedication as I am already doing something I enjoy,” says Nosh Mistry who is all set to participate in the World Masters Cycling event in Manchester, England, in October. In February this year he earned the third place at the Australian Track National championships at Dunc Gray Velodrome in Banks­­town, Sydney in an event called the "Individual Pursuit.” He was also New South Wales State champion a week later in an event named the "Omnium.” The cycling enthusiast who trains on his bicycle 60 to 80 km every day, increasing it to 150 km on weekends, has won many national awards and prizes in long distance bicycling and triathlons. Annually he participates in about 75 races despite his job as a computer programmer and an event photographer.

Besides practising for two to two-and-a-half hours most days Mistry mentions, "I also ride to most races I participate on the weekend and ride back home. Looking over my training log, in the last year I have ridden over 12,000 km. Most of my riding is early in the morning or in the evening after 7.30 p.m.” Currently he is rigorously training for the Manchester event realizing that "October is not far away. If I can meet my target markers, I will be making the trip to Manchester,” he said, determination writ all over his face.

Nosh Mistry (above) on his bicycle and (far right) on receiving bronze medal at the 2012 Australian Track National championships

A strong advocate of regular training Mistry adds, "There are several state and national events in which I will be participating to get my fitness and conditioning fine-tuned. Most of these events are cycling. I will also be doing a 15-week track series starting in mid-June which will help with the preparation.”
He has been participating in both triathlons (cycling, swimming and running) and cycling races since the last decade, having done the Ironman Triathlon before their first child Elisha was born six years ago. "After the birth of Elisha, I decided to cut down on my training and concentrate only on cycling so I could spend more time with my family,” he explained.
Besides his main work as an information technology programmer he enjoys his side career as a photographer, specializing in wedding photos as also portraits, travel photography and corporate work. He says, "No two weddings are alike. Every couple has that something special they would like to do. (A few weeks ago) I had a half page picture of mine — taken for Tourism Tasmania — published in the Weekend Australian Magazine.” In addition to these responsibilities he manages a company which has recently launched for medical prescriptions and records software in India. "We currently have about 90 medical practices on this software as well,” he reports.
Mistry recalls receiving his first bicycle from an uncle, Shahrookh Mistry, in India as a preschooler. Another uncle, Firdosh Master, bought him his first race ready bicycle and his father Firoze bought him his first thoroughbred race bicycle. "My parents have been my biggest inspiration and support,” he maintains. "Others who helped me along the way with equipment and training were Ashok Captain and Kerman Framna. They all live in Poona,” Nosh reminisced. "My thanks to all my mentors, including many Parsis here,” he says.
Whilst a high end road bicycle costs around Australian $ 7,500 (Rs 4,02,000), the track bicycles with the wheels are available for $ 10,000 (Rs 5,36,000). "The general racing and travel costs add up to $ 5,000 (Rs 2,68,000) a year and that is just the entry and travel. Accommodation, food and dietary supplements are all extra. Then there are the ongoing equipment expenses in terms of tyres, brake blocks, clothing, etc. Also if there is an accident which does happen in racing, those costs (both medical and equipment) add up as well,” Mistry gives an idea of the finances involved especially since he does not get state support but partial sponsorship for clothing and equipment. "I am on the lookout for a sponsor to take my racing to the next level,” he states.
He was an adolescent when he won his first national medal in cycling in India. He went on to become the triathlon champion of India and got a job with the Indian Railways while continuing his education for an MBA degree. "Always nice to be paid to do a job I loved,” he smiled. But he was frustrated as in India no one knows when state or national events are to be held until a fortnight before.
Thirty-eight-year-old Mistry was born in Jamshedpur and after completing his 12th standard moved to Poona where he earned his BCom and two MBA degrees. Nosh and his wife Deepali have been in Sydney since April 2001. "This is our home now. We are fortunate for the opportunities Sydney and Australia have given us which we have been able to use to the fullest and things have worked out well.” Deepali has just received her International A license as a judo referee and is one of two and the only female referee in Australia to hold this distinction. This enables her to referee at the World Championship level. Over the next few years her aim is to get to the Rio Olympics or the 2020 Olympics as a referee. "Her support in my pursuits has been integral in achieving my sports goals,” acknowledges Nosh. Having delivered their second baby a month ago, she is expected "to be back on the judo mat refereeing at the Australian Judo Nationals in June.” Elisha is already part of a swimming squad and loves gymnastics and ballet too. "We feel both these activities are complementary. We are trying to expose her to many sports but letting her find where she fits best.”

Deepali Mistry refereeing at a judo match

Happy to follow the Zoroastrian religion’s "wonderfully simple philosophy of manashni, gavashni, kunashni,” Nosh states, "I am proud to be a Parsi. My wife is a Hindu. We respect, support and celebrate our similarities and differences.” Elisha will be initiated as a Zoroastrian next year, says the father. Their various commitments "unfortunately… do not leave us with much free time to participate in the activities of the Australian Zoroastrian Association.”
He is convinced though of "the bawa element in me to be eccentric enough to ride 12,000 km in the last year.” When asked to comment on the popular refrain that "Parsis love their bikes more than their wives!” Nosh agreed, "I am sure my bikes would agree, all eight of them!”