In reply to TheGeneralist:
> I'm just gobsmacked that people are seriously entertaining the thought that this organised event should dictate that others should keep away.
Well obviously anyone can ride the route anytime they like *shrug* and no one's saying the trails are all shut that week. But it's Alan's creation and just basic respect to him and the group start not to gatecrash, particularly if you've applied but not got in.
Plus from a practical point of view, there'll be fifty odd riders competing for space in all the bothies and dosses en route that week. So unless you really want to be the fifty-first...
Oh, and "organised event"? Only in the loosest possible sense