HOHHOT, China, May 20 (Xinhua) -- The fourth Hohhot bicycle-riding activity kicked off here on Sunday in the capital city of China's Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region.

Around one thousand riders participated in the activity as they rode a length of 32 kilometers in eastern part of the city.

Many bicycle riders experienced a weight-losing process in the event and got interested in this sport.

Wang Hongsheng, 52, as the captain of an amateur cycling team, took part in the event along with dozens of his teammates.

"I have begun riding a bicycle as a sport since 2010, and the greatest gain for me is to find a way of living a heathy life with fun," said Wang.

Many amateur riders came to seek solutions for health as they were suffering prediabetes, high cholesterol, or hyperlipidemia, when their doctors suggested them to change lifestyle and get more exercises.

Wang lost a weight of 15 kilograms in just four months after he took cycling of 150 kilometer a week.

"It's not so hard to fall in love with this sport as I benefit so much from it, just stick to it," added Wang.

Li Yongguang, a bicycle-rider from Togtoh County which was 80 kilometers away from Hohhot, rode his bike together with his 18 teammates on Sunday to join this activity.

It took them three and half hours to get to the center of Hohhot City from their hometown, and after a 32-kilometer riding, they would ride 80 kilometers back home.

"The distance is not a problem. Every weekend, we will ride 50 to 60 kilometers in a group. In weekdays, we will practice on our own," said Li.

Li also benefited from cycling on losing weight. "I had a big belly before, people would assume me as eight months pregnant if I were a woman. But since I got involved with the bicycle riding practice, I've lost 20 kilograms so far," added Li.

The activity organizer Wang Chunxia said that this event aimed at encouraging a healthy lifestyle and green way of commuting.