Rather than ____ on a crowded bus,he always prefers _____ a

Rather than ____ on a crowded bus,he always prefers _____ a bicycle.
A.ride; ride B.riding; ride C.ride; to ride D.to ride;riding
虽然说这个句子是在考查prefer to do……rather than……的结构,可是题目里是he always prefers a bicycle呀,没有to,因此我就不知道该选谁了,

C
prefer to do……rather than do……