I am in the midst of planning our WHW for the beginning of May and have found out that there is a motorcycle race taking place from May 7-12. It appears that parts or all of the WHW are being used for starts or finishes of that race. I checked out their website but don't really see any information on their routes as I presume the riders are given the route facts on the morning of the race. Has anyone encountered this race while walking the WHW? Other than noise will we encounter any other problems?
Thanks

I walked the WHW last year and had the misfortune to encounter this event over the last 3 days of my walk The event had not got into full swing at this stage but still accommodationn was impossible to find near Kingshouse or Kinlochleven and difficult in Fort William. I ended up staying 2 nights in Ballachulish and having to get a taxi to and from the walk each day. I didn't encounter too many bikes on the trail but when I did most of them slowed down and gave me space. The worst part for me was the constant noise echoing through the hills. If I was doing the walk again I would definitely avoid the weeks around this event.
I hope you enjoy your walk whenever you do it.

I can't speak for this event but similar ones are held across northern England throughout the year. In my experience of "keeping an eye on them" I have always found the riders to be extremely courteous. They are given a pre-ride briefing by the organisers during which they are told they must always give priority to walkers and cyclists. They must also stay on legal roads and byways that are open to vehicular traffic.

I have, on several occasions, commended the organisers on the behaviour of the participants.

The main problem is the noise that they generate, but, in my opinion, the hills and dales are open for everyone to enjoy as they wish LEGALLY. And, if they are on a legal route I have no problems with them.

Slightly off the point, but on a national car rally one participant started blowing his horn and flashing his lights at me as I was driving up the hill north from Askrigg. This was not a timed section but a road between stages so they should obey the rules of the road. I pulled up so as to block his passage and got out wearing my uniform! He was extremely apologetic when I threatened to report his behaviour. I mellowed at the end and didn't.

Thanks for the replies. I certainly did wonder why a lot of the accommodations were booked in Fort William when I was researching them out. By now I presume Kingshouse is fully booked. It's too bad I need to call them rather than check online for availability. I think our main concern is the noise level so I may do some rethinking and re-arrange our walks. It also depends on our friends who are joining us for Hadrian's Wall so if we can switch it to be at the beginning of the trip that might be for the best.
Thanks for the replies.