A wrong turn wasn’t enough to derail Crows defender Ben Rutten on day one of the Redline Classic.

‘Truck’ didn’t get off to a good start on Monday as his group misread the map and ended up doing some extra kilometres through the Adelaide Hills heading into Lobethal.

Rutten and co had to overcome another challenge late in the afternoon, riding into a ferocious head wind, which many of the experienced riders described as some of the toughest riding conditions they’d ever faced. Tired and frustrated, Rutten drew on his elite training background and fierce determination to power to the front and finish strongly.

Apart from a few mechanical issues, including a tyre blow-out and broken spoke the first day of the ride was completed without any major incidents, crashes or injuries.

The 37-strong group was back on the road on Tuesday morning after covering the 130 kilometres from Adelaide to Mannum on day one. The riders will cover another 127 kilometres on Tuesday as they wind through the Riverland region before returning to Mannum in the evening.

The wind has died down, but after crossing the River Murray at Walkers Flat on the ferry in the morning the riders face the steepest hill of the entire ride.

On Wednesday, the group will ride 145kms from Mannum to Glenelg, crossing the finish line at the Watermark Hotel on Anzac Highway around 3.30pm.

In its third year, The Redline Classic is a group of dedicated riders joining together to raise funds for the Crows Foundation, the official charity of the Adelaide Football Club.

Last year, the Redline Classic raised $25,000 for the Crows Foundation, which supports South Australian children in need. Next year, the Crows Foundation will raise its one millionth dollar.

To make a donation to ‘Truck’ or any of the riders please click here.

Tomorrow the riders will ride 145kms from Mannum to Glenelg with the finish line the Watermark Hotel on Anzac Highway around 3.30pm.