Veteran defender Ben Rutten is using a radical training method to keep in shape this off-season.

Rutten, 30, has been out on Adelaide’s roads during his holidays, cycling many kilometres ahead of a monster three-day charity ride later this month.

“I’ve been doing a fair bit of training on the bike for the Crows Foundation Redliners Charity bike ride coming up, which I’m really looking forward to,” Rutten said.

“After you’ve done a few preseasons, it’s good to give the body a break, keep off the legs and do a bit of cross-training on the bike.”

The 190cm, 100kg, unit nicknamed ‘Truck’ is no stranger to the road bike. However, he admits riding in excess of 400 kilometres over three days is an intimidating prospect.

“It will be pretty solid work. We start in the city and then head straight for Norton Summit so that will be a nice little warm-up for us. Then we get out onto the open road and do over 100 kilometres every day. I’ve probably only ever done 50-60 kilometres at one time, so the bum will be sore at the end of each day! I’ll certainly be sleeping well each night,” he said.

Having witnessed firsthand the great work the Crows Foundation does for young children in need, Rutten is certainly passionate about the fundraising effort.

“Hopefully we can raise some money for the Crows Foundation through the Redline Classic ride; it’s for a great cause helping out Camp Quality kids, so hopefully people can get behind it.  

To make a donation to ‘Truck’, or any of the riders, and support South Australian children in need please click here.

For more details on the Classic please visit the information page.