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The fifth German Trolley Championship takes place April 19 and 20 on the former railroad tracks between Altenglan and Staudernheim. The event includes the championships in hand-lever trolley and bike trolley races, as well as a sprint race.
A bike trolley runs on pedals, has four wheels and follows the tracks like a railway carriage. It doesn’t need a steering wheel.
***image1***Teams participating in the championship consist of three or six people, which can exchange their positions on the trolley as often and any way they want to. The route they have to ride is 10 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.
The sprint race is 720 meters long. This is especially for hobby teams, business and office teams and clubs. Each team is comprised of three people. Prizes are €300, €200 and €100.
Anybody interested should register online at www.deutsche-draisinentage.de or www.Kuseler-musikantenland.de. The tourist information office, Kuseler Musikantenland, also mails out registration forms. They can be reached at 0631-424-270 or at touristinformation@kv-kus.de. The registration fee is €50 for the bike trolley race (three people); €150 for the hand-lever trolley race (six people); and €30 for the sprint race (three people).
The races are from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 19 at the train station in Altenglan. Teams qualifying for the finals race again from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20. When registering, teams receive all pertinent information.
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 long. Trolleys start their ride in Lauterecken, Altenglan or Staudernheim. Public buses along the route take trolley riders back.
***image2***On even days, trolleys can be driven from Staudernheim in the direction of Altenglan. They can be 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 to 13 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 kilometers one way). Rental cost is €10 per person, but a minimum of €100 per trolley per ride.
Also available are conference trolleys for €65 a day. They hold seven people total.
Reservations are required. Call the Kusel Tourist Information. For more information, visit www.draisinentour.de.
