You will learn in cycling that moderate is a relative term. Moderate to whom, you, me, Lance. That hill being a moderate hill depends on who wrote your flier. I have been to races where a moderate hill was pretty flat and others where it was pretty steep. Riding the course before you race it will only familiarize you with it from a tactical perspective. It won't help you be in better shape for it.
The best thing to do, especially since you will have to travel to a lot of races where you can't pre-ride the course, is to get in the best shape you can, see the course when you get there, and learn to set your strategy before the start. Most of the pro's don't preride most of the courses they race. They just show up and race because they are in good enough shape to handle whatever you throw at them. That is the right attitude.
What? You say you're not a pro? Well, you won't be racing against pro's either, will you. Get in the best racing shape you can for your category and let your shape and experience take care of it. If you trained right for climbing, you will be able to climb. It works.
