A PETITION demanding that Surrey is not "turned into a cycle track" has received more than 2,500 signatures.
The online protest, which is aimed at Surrey County Council, comes as Surrey hosted the penultimate stage of the Tour of Britain cycling event on Saturday.
Started by Ian Huggins, who runs a clay pigeon shooting school, the petition has garnered 2,608 signees, many of which have come from Mole Valley residents.
The 68-year-old said: "Surrey County Council has, without consultation, decided it would be a great idea to use Surrey as a race track.
"This in its self is a thoughtless act but far more importantly residents and numerous businesses are being affected by road closures.
"This prevents residents of Surrey from leaving their own property and going about their normal business."
He added: "The road closures were a necessary inconvenience during the Olympic Games but now it looks like Surrey County Council are to make this an annual event.
"This is all very well but residents of Surrey are pestered and annoyed by cyclists practising months in advance of the event, who ride the route in very large numbers from very early in the morning."
Surrey has witnessed a surge of interest in the sport since Box Hill and many of the county's towns and villages hosted the Olympic road race in 2012.
Since then, the county has hosted the Tour of Britain for two consecutive years as well as the Prudential Ride London-Surrey event, which led to road closures lasting all day.
Cab driver Daniel Craig, from Bookham, said: "It is annoying that Surrey seems to get picked out for all the events but I guess that is because we live in such a picturesque area.
"For a cabbie, road closures are really awful for me from a business point of view so it annoys me that people say 'it is just for one day'."
However, keen cyclist Mary Cinder, from Dorking, said: "I think this is pathetic. Not only is cycling environmentally friendly but it's a great way to keep fit and that is why is needs promoting."
A spokesman for Surrey County Council added: "Cycling events have brought fantastic economic benefits to Surrey and people are pedalling to healthier lifestyles.
"But we also want to limit any impact on our residents and businesses and their views are always uppermost in our minds when race organisers approach us."
