Are you one who loves to travel? How about going on a trip with a pretty badass Harley Davidson bike, exploring the different cities in Malaysia? Yep, that’s what Jaime Dempsey, host of the new History show, Ride N’ Seek did.
Ride N' Seek
Date: Premieres 10 June 2013, (Monday)
Time: 10pm
Channel: History Channel, StarHub TV Ch 401
This new travel documentary sees the bubbly, blonde American biker girl driving around Malaysia with her huge (and beautiful) bike as she explores Malaysia and does all crazy stuffs there! We’re talking feeding ginormous crocs, diving into a pool of dead-skin-hungry fishes and driving a formula one race car!
About Ride N' Seek
Jaime Dempsey is determined to tread a new path through Peninsular Malaysia. Riding through the country on a Harley, she takes us off the beaten track to visit places best reached on two wheels. On the way she rides almost everything there is in the country; from a Formula car to a mountain bike to an ostrich and even a big plastic ball. There’s no stopping the irreverent Jaime; in every state she meets a local personality who gives her tips on the best places to visit and the most delicious of local delicacies to try. This is a journey that showcases the great variety that there is in Malaysia and sets the stage for more motorbiking adventures through Asia...
InCinemas caught up with the bubbly lad who isn’t shy about sharing her adventures and experiences during her time filming Ride N’ Seek!
InCinemas: Hi Jaime, can you tell us more about your role in Ride N’ Seek?
Jaime: I’m hosting the show and it is a new experience for me. It’s the first time I’m hosting a show, first time riding a motorcycle outside my country and pretty much first time doing almost everything on the show. So it’s like a fish our of water experience, so I’m hoping it’ll be fun for everyone to see.
InCinemas: What have you explored in Singapore or intend to check out in this city?
Jaime: In Singapore, I have not seen enough. I didn’t have enough time here, as it’s just really in and out of the country. I have a day free tomorrow and I’m open to suggestions and I want to explore Singapore even more. (She cited Arab Street as one of her places to visit!)
InCinemas: I can't help but to notice the tattoos on your body. Can you tell us what inspired you to get these tattoos?
Jaime: Well, they all have a special meaning and each one have a different meaning to it. I got it (tattoo) since young, which I wouldn’t recommend that because you really have to know your artist, if they are good and do they have the right style for you. I found these stuffs out as I got older and I just into them because I’m a creative and artistic person.
I got into tattoos when I was studying in the arts school and of course, the bike culture. Once you’re done comparing bikes, you start comparing tattoos and it’s just all part of the lifestyle.
InCinemas: What are your parents’ thoughts when they heard that their girl will be riding a Harley exploring Malaysia?
Jaime: (laughs) They are really supportive and super excited for me. My father actually put the travelling bug in me quite early. I was born in America but we quickly moved to England when I was quite young because of my father’s business. So whenever he had business trips, he will bring me along and explore places like Sweden, France and Spain, all when I was quite young. They do encourage me to get out there and see the world and are very proud of me.
InCinemas: What are the reactions the locals gave you when they saw you riding this pretty badass bike?
Jaime: I was scared that they were not like me or not like what they see. For the most parts, I got lots of thumbs up. They will stop me on the streets and take photos with me, so I guess I really stood up as a blonde girl riding a big bike.
It was fun and exciting! I will stop at the traffic light and other bikers will look at me, give me a thumbs up, and we look at each other’s bikes and just laugh. I had a lot of fun with them.
InCinemas: What are some of the crazy stuffs you've done for the show in Malaysia?
Jaime: I did so many crazy things. Where do I start, I fed crocodiles, I drove a formula car, I jumped into the water with hundreds of fishes which they told me it’s fish spa and I was gonna get a fish massage, but had no idea the fishes were the size of my arm and there were hundreds of them! So I jumped in anyway and they were all over my body. I was so freaked out for that but it was cool.
Oh, I also did an extreme 4x4 where we got trucks stuck in the rocks and had to find a way a get out. It didn’t go as well as planned so you have to see that on the show.
InCinemas: Any memorable trips or interesting stories heard during your journey there?
Jaime: I did do a home stay and that was really fun because I did get to mingle with a lot of children there and they are so cute! They showed me how to play their local games like the Mancala. We also caught stingray together and grilled it. I got a taste of the rural life in Malaysia and I enjoyed it. A big contrast to city life like in KL so I got to see everything.
InCinemas: How different is it riding in Malaysia as compared to California?
Jaime: A huge difference! First of all the heat was crazy, I don’t know how people do it there. If it was me, I would feel like walking around with no clothes on, all the time. (laughs). I say that because on the motorcycle you have to be really covered. You need protection so i have my leather boots, jeans, my helmet on and as my bike engine is really hot, so all of that adds to the heat. That was hard for me but it’s a challenge overcame!
Also, the traffic and the way people drive is a bit crazy. I feel they just ‘go first and think about it later’ attitude which is dangerous and they were a lot of cars going in different directions!
In America, you’ll mostly see three other bikes on the road a day but there, it is like, crazy. Especially across the border from Singapore. Because I got my Harley from Harley Davidson in Singapore, so I crossed the border to Malaysia on a Friday during rush hour and it was insane. Sharing the road with that many bikes was definitely interesting!
InCinemas: Your bike definitely stood out at the customs checkpoint I suppose?
Jaime: Oh ya! You can spot me from a mile away. Everyone just keep looking at me like ‘What is she doing here, is she out of her mind?’
InCinemas: Is it a common trend for females to ride a motorbike in your country? In Singapore, motorbikes are generally discouraged and it's even rare to see a female cyclist around.
Jaime: Yeah, I’ve noticed that and I’ve been looking out for them. I hardly see any girls on bikes. They are always on the back, which is where I started too but for me I’m sort of a control freak and I wanna have control over the bike. In America, it’s not that common, I do see female riders occasionally but I’m dying to meet another one to go riding with me.
I usually go riding a lot on Sundays for leisure and I always go with a group of guys so I’m always looking for a girl to ride with. I’m hoping to inspire the women out there!
InCinemas: Do you have any tips or advise for motor riders?
Jaime: I would say.. take it easy? You don’t really need to be in a rush, a lot of bikers, especially the guys are quite aggressive and when they’re riding I’m always like the mother among the bikers. Relax, just take it easy and enjoy your ride. Also, wear protective gear. I see a lot of people wearing slippers when they are riding and that scares me to death. I want all my toes so I wear leather boots.
For the girls, if you are thinking about going into riding, check out the bikes, start with something small first. It took me awhile to get to ride the bigger bikes so be sure that what you are riding is good for your size!
InCinemas: Wow, so where would you take your bike and explore next?
Jaime: If given the chance, I’ll love to do a season 2 and take my adventure into Asia a bit further. I met some biker guys, the malaysian harley riders and they told me about this bike week in Phuket, so I would love to go to Thailand and do this ride from Singapore all the way up to Phuket and go on to this bike week and to see what’s it all about. That will make for a fun time.
InCinemas: Sounds like an adventure! You’ve done photography, styling, travelling and even created swim wear for young surfer girls! What have you planned out next?
Jaime: I’m always open to new opportunities and new experiences and just like this (Ride N’ Seek) kind of came my way. I heard History is doing the show, went for the audition and I actually got a chance to do it! I’m just gonna keep my options open, keep my mind open and hope that I can maybe take this even further! I don’t know, I’ll just keep saving money and go onto my next adventure on my own!
Watch the trailer of Ride N' Seek!