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***image1***Season for rides on inactive railroad tracks starts now in Kusel’s Musicians County.
The fourth German Trolley Days take place April 21 and 22 on the inactive railroad tracks between Altenglan and Staudernheim in the Kusel Musicians County. The event includes competitions in hand-lever trolley and bike trolley races. Openings are still available for two bike trolley races.
A bike trolley runs on pedals, has four wheels and follows the tracks like a railway carriage. It doesn’t need a steering wheel.
Teams participating in the championship consist of three persons, who can exchange their positions on the trolley as often and any way they want to. The route they have to ride is 20 kilometers long.
The winning team receives €500, the second place winners get €300 and the third place €150.
Since these are open championships everybody can participate, not just pros.
This year’s program offers a new contest: a sprint race on 720 meters. This is especially for hobby teams, business and office teams and clubs. Each team is comprised of three persons. Prizes are €300, €200 and €100.
Anybody interested should register online at www.deutsche-draisinentage.de or www.kuseler-musikantenland.de.
The tourist information Kuseler Musikantenland also mails out registration forms.
Registration fee is €50 and has to be paid in advance.
The event starts 7:30 a.m. April 21 at the train station in Altenglan. Teams qualifying for the finale meet again at 10:30 a.m. April 22. Teams wanting to start in the sprint race should meet at 9 a.m. April 22. When registering, teams receive all pertinent information.
***image2***Trolleys can be driven not only during the championships. They are available to tourists from March to October. Bike trolleys can hold four adults, or two adults and three children. At set stops, they can be taken off the tracks so cyclists can take breaks, explore the area and visit landmarks or restaurants along the route. Riders can choose a distance between 20 and 40 kilometers. Trolleys start their ride in Lauterecken, Altenglan or Staudernheim. Public buses along the route take trolley riders back.
On even days, trolleys can be driven from Staudernheim in the direction of Altenglan. They can get boarded in Staudernheim or Lauterecken.
On uneven days, trolleys ride the opposite direction, from Altenglan to Staudernheim, and can be boarded in Altenglan or Lauterecken. Cost is €35 per trolley per day Mondays through Fridays and €39 Saturdays, Sundays and German holidays.
Hand-lever trolleys can seat eight to13 people, with four operating the vehicle. On even days they are available from 9 a.m. to noon from Altenglan to St. Julian and back. On uneven days, they ride from 4 to 7 p.m. The total tour length on a hand-lever trolley is 20 kilometers (10 km one way). Rental cost is €10 per person, but a minimum of €100 per trolley/ride.
Also available are meeting trolleys for €65 a day. They hold seven people total.
Reservations for all trolleys are required.
To reserve trolleys and for details, call the Kusel Tourist Information at 063-424-270, e-mail at touristinformation@kv-kus.de, or visit www.draisinentour.de.
Altenglan is located on county road B420, east of Kusel. (Courtesy of Kusel County Administration)
