So I always do SSB HV, so I’m biased, I like SSB1 HV might be worth trying. ALthough it’s more time, in some ways it could be “easier” than the more intense workouts in the lower volume alternatives because HV is purely sweet spot. SSB1, in my opinion, really doesn’t get too tough until week 4 or 5, depending on your experience. I’m doing SSB2 HV at the moment so I’m in for another 4 weeks of fun lol
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If and when I crash and burn trying SSBHV1, this seems like a very wise alternative.
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It’s also worth noting that even the SSB HV plans have a long ride alternative for the sunday workout in each week’s tips. So if the constant SS is a bit much then you can dial down the intensity on the weekend and go for longer.
I think the risk/reward of 5 days of SS isn’t worth it, and more importantly in my own case a more durable aerobic base was established by taking 10 hours/week and reducing SS work to 2-3 days/week.
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Ah yes, forgot to say - I did HV2. My rationale was that coming off the sustained MV build, plus the tougher front half of MV climbing RR, I would be in decent shape to go back to the HV2, and I was already at weekly TSS in that range. I have done SSB MV2 repeatedly and SSB HV1 looked a little too similar. I wanted to push to more 2 hr rides that I would never do on the trainer - again, with goal being to really amp the volume up. It was one of the most disciplined progressions I’ve personally done on TSS in the outdoor season:
(courtesy intervals.icu:)
One other important point was that I started HV2 at the same FTP… but I did often “overachieve” on the intervals ever so slightly on out-of-saddle climbs, pushed towards high end of target range outside, or once in a while cut down/eliminated the short rests on the 20-30 min intervals. I honestly had no idea if I could do it, and in general, I took a rest day every 3-4 days instead over every 6th day - but I added the metric century TSS here and there - so that kept the work really productive for me. It was eye opening to learn just how much SS I can do outside. I will also get a wake-up call now trying to finish in humid NY heat! My only “fail” in here was attempting 3x30 on the first near 90 degree day that came a two days after a PR-loaded metric century, 4 weeks in. That was my cue to take some rest days, which is the recent dip in the chart.
So back to your key question - with all the training you’ve done, having successfully completed a build phase (I assume in MV?) and having good fitness, I’d say there is no better time to go for HV2 to get the 2 hr focus that many of us avoid indoors in the winter, and just be prepared to throw in an extra rest day when needed and extend it a week if you have to. You may also well surprise yourself what you can do!
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what was your ramp rate over the 5 build weeks of SSB1-HV and SSB2-HV?
FWIW starting with a CTL of 38, what I’m seeing is SSB1-HV has ramp rate of 5.0 ((63-38)/5) and by comparison for a more pyramidal (less SSB and more z2) approach looking at a 3 week loading the ramp rate was 5.7 ((55-38)/3). SSB1-HV left me with a lot more fatigue than what I did this spring. If you look at 3 loading weeks of SSB1-HV its still a ramp rate of 5.
SSBHV doesn’t actually have that much saddle time, only about 10 hrs/week.
In a few weeks, I’m going to try:
2 x Z2 solo centuries per week @ 6 hrs
2 x Z5 30/15 short shorts per week @ 60 min (Rattlesnake, Brasted)
3 x Z1 Lazy Mountain -1 per week @ 60 min
That’ll take me up to 17 hours per week, but with only 2 hours of intensity.
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10-12 hours/week is about the max I can manage with job, family, and home obligations. Its possible to get really fit on 10-12 hours/week and ride strong. And putting on my captain obvious hat, even fitter on 15-20 hours/week 
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Not sure if this question was to me - but I didn’t do SSB1 HV - only started wtih SSB2 HV, and in first ~4 weeks of following the week-to-week progression, plus some extra stuff I added, I ramped CTL from 62->84 and I’d say it was about the limit for me. That was coming off a lighter ramp from ~58->62 doing part of climbing RR specialty - it, plus sustained build MV both felt a LOT harder, despite much lower TSS. If I had the time to only do Z2, I’m sure I could do way more in Z2, but 9-11 hrs/week seems most practical for me right now and I’d say it was evidence to me that the SS approach is about as much TSS as I could reasonably fit into that time - and more than I might have expected I could do.
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with a similar starting point, the first 4 weeks according to plan takes CTL from 65 to 82, which is a ramp rate of 4.3. Your 4 week loading from 62 to 84 is a ramp rate of 5.5. I agree thats a lot given the amount of hard days in SSB2-HV. What I find interesting is comparing my experience with SSB1-HV and what I did this spring.
My experience is that if you try SSB HV and its too much, pull out 2 or 3 hard days from that plan (or MV or LV) and add long weekend rides. Build some progressions from 8 to 12 hours. You might be surprised by the results 
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I’ve done / doing this. Was on short power build for crits, was getting run down with the intensity and while doing a long weekend ride (220 TSS) making no gains. So figured I’d give myself a break from thrashing VO2 and high intensity and start from base by putting in some consistency. So have gone with 3 days of sweet spot as per the plan + one Z2 a week then my weekend 220 TSS ride. May add another Z2 to pad TSS down the line.
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Interesting! And how do you do that? Tweaking a SSB HV?
Bought a plan from FasCat.
Damn…another thing to get sucked in
What plan did you bought? The 18 weeks SSB? Or Polarized? If yes which one?
I did weeks 5-18 of SSB. Also bought off-season resistance and polarized SS4 plans. That ended up amounting to the 32-week plan plus polarized SS4.
Thanks for quick reply… How do you see gain from polarized. I am thinking to switch to polarized instead of SSB. I designed my own plan. Basically 4 rides of Z2 and 1 ride with 4 X 8 @ 108% or 3 X 13 - 30S @ 120%
Not sure what should be the plan hence asking question. Appreciate you response.