Fort Knox,KY restricted?

[Bclayden]

Hello.

My cross country route has me entering and exiting Fort Knox, KY on route 60/31W on the approach into Louisville.  I am not entering the fort proper, just using the highway to cross the base. 

Q: are there restrictions or restricted times or days to crossing Fort Knox on route 60/31W as there often are with other U.S. Military bases?

The Army website is not very helpful except to say I need government photo ID...no mention of restriction but I want to be sure I don't have a nasty surprise when I arrive.  Anyone know about this? 

Thanks in advance for your reply.

[John Nettles]

As you know every military base is a bit different.  I usually just call to find out.  They have always readily told me the answer and if yes, what I need, i.e. any ID, a passport, etc.  I then typically call a couple of days in advance to confirm the info is still valid.

[johnsondasw]

Gee, I wish it had been restricted from me in July of 1970, when I started my 4.5 hellish months of basic and AIT there! Actually, rumors at that time were that it was a lot better than several other Army bases at the time (Fort Leonardwood. Fort Polk.....). 

Actually, they did teach a good course on electronics at the time. Basic, however, was another matter.  Don't get me going; sometimes I feel like I'm still recovering.

[RussSeaton]

Gee, I wish it had been restricted from me in July of 1970, when I started my 4.5 hellish months of basic and AIT there! Actually, rumors at that time were that it was a lot better than several other Army bases at the time (Fort Leonardwood. Fort Polk.....). 

Actually, they did teach a good course on electronics at the time. Basic, however, was another matter.  Don't get me going; sometimes I feel like I'm still recovering.

Reminds me of some stories my Dad told about the Army a few years before yours.  He had his basic training in El Paso.  Did his two years of mandatory service in Alaska.  Talks about getting off the boat and standing on the docks in Alaska in the freezing cold and blowing wind while a sergeant went up and down the line screaming at them.  Needless to say, the Army did not give a God D-mn about the soldiers.

[jamawani]

But why ??

I used to live in Louisville and would rather make out with Donald Trump than bike Dixie Highway.
You know you can cross the Ohio at Brandenburg - 2-lane bridge with fairly wide lanes.
Then take the extremely quiet Indiana Hwy 111 on the northwest side of the river up to new Albany.

[woodrowstar]

Simple answer: stop using Google maps to navigate. I know exactly what you are being instructed to do. There is a preferred bike tour route around.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[big blue cat]

To my knowledge U.S.60/U.S. 31W are public hwy. that can be taken 24/7. Those roads don't go into the base. You are taking your life in your own hands if you ride 31W to Louisville. 31W is also called Dixie Hwy. a.k.a. Dixie Dieway. You might contact somebody from the Louisville Bicycle Club. They might be able to find you a safer way to get to downtown Louisville. I don't know that part of town.
Scott

[Bclayden]

Thanks for the input. I actually have to end up at the Louisville airport and you are correct, Google map sent me along Dixie Highway. I will avoid Dixie and make the Brandenburg crossing as suggested. Sounds much better. 

To be faiir, while I don't use Google map to navigate it can be a useful tool in initial route planning. Fine tuning with street view, asking questions on this forum and of local cyclists while on the fly and a bit of luck have helped but Google map can be a good place to start. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and sure, I know my local routes better than Google (who doesn't?) but it can get you a rough idea of an unknown route.  Of course any prudent traveller will confirm this route with other resources however.  Trust but verify.

Thanks again for the routing advice. I will avoid Kentucky 31W and Dixie Hiway.