The great annual tradition that is the Tour de France begins again in earnest this weekend as the worlds best cyclists pedal around France for three weeks, covering several thousand miles and crossing both Alps and Pyrenees.  Now I have to admit that I’m a certified peddler so adore the Tour de France and with millions lining the streets of Britain for the ‘Grand Depart‘ last year it seems the nation has been gripped by cycle fever.

Getting the cycle bug

According to Sustrans, some 75% of the population live within 2 miles of a cycle path, with some 12,000 miles of cycle friendly routes available.  The mass turnout for last years event unveiled a latent love of cycling that our cycle mad friends across the channel had precious little idea existed.  Whether you want a serious ride or a family pedal through the countryside there is something for everyone in Britain, and MutualPoints has a couple of ways to help you on your way with a few points to put some zip in your legs.

Halfords

We have the old favourite Halfords where you can earn 2% cashback on your purchase if you shop online, and also 3% cashback if you shop in their high street stores if you use the MutualPoints High Street scheme (which I’m sure you all are coz it’s great!).

If you want a bike that’s a little more high performance than your standard Halfords fayre you could try Evans Cycles, where you can earn 3% cashback on your purchase. The faithful British summer is holding up at the time of writing so what better way to get out and enjoy it than taking to your two wheeled steed?

Have you been out on the bike this summer?  Does the Tour de France give you motivation to hit the road?  Will you be watching the event?  As always we’d love to hear from you.

Global oil prices today surged past $135 dollars for the first time in history, with some analysts predicting that the price of oil could reach $200 in 6 to 24 months time. With petrol prices due to stay high, and government fuel duty showing no signs of reducing now is the time to find ways to cut back on your fuel usage. We’ve compiled the following helpful tips to aid you in your quest to save some cash.

Drive more efficiently

Our friends at The Environment Site have produced a guide to driving efficiently, with 21 tips to reduce your fuel consumption. Some of the better ones include:

1. - Ensure your tires are properly inflated
2. - Don’t drive with the windows down as it increases drag
3. - Refrain from aggressive braking and accelerating
4. - Stick to the speed limit. Doing 85mph up the motorway can use about 30% more fuel than doing 70mph.

There are lots more tips available on the site so check them out.

Get on your bike

We have a few certified peddlers at MutualPoints so you’ll find plenty of advocates of two wheeled transport here. In case the benefits aren’t plain they include:

1. Saving lots on fuel or public transport costs
2. Helping the environment
3. Getting legs of steel

There are a few great cycle shops on MutualPoints, so I should probably have added ‘earn points’ to the list above, actually, I think I shall.

4. Earn points

There, that’s better.

Anyway, we have the old favourite Halfords where you can earn 2% cashback on your purchase if you shop online, and also 3% cashback if you shop in their high street stores if you use the MutualPoints High Street scheme (which I’m sure you all are coz it’s great!).

If you want a bike that’s a little more high performance than your standard Halfords fayre you could try Evans Cycles, where you can earn 3% cashback on your purchase. The faithful British summer is holding up at the time of writing so what better way to get out and enjoy it than taking to your two wheeled steed?

How are you beating the oil price surge?

There are just a few tips on how you can reduce your fuel costs this summer. How are you trying to reduce your fuel usage? Tell us below.