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Cathy "Kaat" Tahy aka HellKaat

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Since Kaat just got a new kidney, (now she has three, which is pretty much cheating) we're going to take advantage of her being completely out of it and bed-ridden and raise some bucks for her!

Let's talk about Kaat...

She was diagnosed w/ Lupus @ age 9 or 10, not exactly sure.

She started riding via PedalGR because she was looking for "something new". Her other choice was roller derby, and while we love our derby girls, we're damned glad she chose cycling.

Mike Clark recalled that "she showed up for a Velo City Tuesday Night Ride in November, some years ago. It was dark, cold & sleeting sideways. She was on a $300 hybrid, ski pants, hiking boots & no glasses. The other riders (all 3 of us) were kitted out in $500+ of high-zoot gear & on cx bikes. She got dropped right away and kept apologizing for 'ruining my ride'. I told her that alla my 'serious' riding buds were on the trainer or the couch.
Still - I was shocked shitless when she came back the next week."

Soon after she bought a Surly Cross Check in February that year, and a Cannondale race bike the following Spring. She did her 1st century that June (100 Grand) and has done 99 more since. 

Because Kaat ALWAYS thinks of others first, she joined the Michigan JDRF team in 2009. She missed her first ride because of a broken arm, but still managed a century. She has gone on to become a JDRF coach.

Last month, she won the "Spirit Jersey" (JDRF's top award) in Saratoga Springs.

What does Kaat do?

Kaat co-conceived "MARDO" ("ODRAM" in reverse) and was among the first to ride it. (ODRAM sat / MARDO sun). She has raced every Barry-Roubaix + Gravel Worlds, DK, Landrun 100, Melting Mann, Boyne Gravel Grinder, Lowell 50, and Hellkaat... Kaat conceived the  "Hellkaat Hundie", which is Michigan's 1st 100 mile gravel race. Her vision has raised approx 35k for JDRF in 4 editions.

Kaat was chosen by Luna Cycling Clothing as one of 50 "Cycling Ambassadors" based on her "story & spirit".

Kaat has raced and ridden in Moab, Fruita, Death Valley, Lake Tahoe, Vermont, Nashville, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Florida...since that day in 2008...

Kaat has done SO MUCH, for SO MANY, much of it with two kidneys functioning at <10%. Now she's knocked out in a hospital bed, unable to protest loudly that WE are going to help her. 

As friends of Cathy "Kaat" Tahy, we would like to ask you to help us lighten her load. In light of what she has done, who she has become, and the many lessons in toughness and fortitude that this incredible woman has taught us.

We hope you will give just a little, because many hands, makes light work, and we've all watched Cathy do much heavy lifting with no expectation of being recognized or rewarded.  She has good insurance but unanticipated expenses are virtually guaranteed. 

Now is the time for the universe to give somthing back to this incredible person.
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Donations 

  • Johnny D
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Don Lee
Organizer
Grand Rapids, MI
Catherine Tahy
Beneficiary

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