The Merchants Bank Christian Elder Memorial 900 (CEM900) is an annual charity bicycle ride covering 900 kilometers in nine days for the benefit of Kids ‘n Kinship, a non-profit mentoring organization based in Dakota County, Minnesota. The mission of Kids ‘n Kinship is to provide friendships to children ages 5-16 in need of positive role models.

The CEM900 was founded in 2006 by John Elder, who pedaled with long-time friends, Ken Dean and Tom Behan, and support driver Gordy Clough, from Wolf Point, Montana to Apple Valley, Minnesota, raising over $16,000. The CEM900 has evolved from a ride on county roads and trails in Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, South Dakota, Nebraska and Wisconsin in the early years, to a ride exclusively on trails in northern and southern Minnesota in recent years.

The CEM900 has grown in participants from two riders in 2007 to a peak of 12 riders in 2016, along with four support drivers. Likewise, the amount raised has increased nearly every year, totaling more than $45,000 in 2017, with 100% of donations going directly to Kids ‘n Kinship. Merchants Bank has been the title sponsor of the CEM900 each and every year since the inaugural ride in 2006.