When you have the opportunity to do a similar trip, I recommend that after leaving Arches National Park you head southeast to visit Mesa Verde National Park and then take one of the prettiest ride in Colorado (my opinion, of course) which runs from Durango to Ridgway. From there you can meet up with the route described in their blog through Glenwood Canyon.
Trail Ridge Rd was resurfaced this year. It's a fun ride heading east or west. Generally, you want to begin the climb early in the morning since afternoon thunderstorms can bring rain, hail or snow even in July.
Thanks! When they resurfaced, did they make it more bike friendly in any way? It seemed very narrow & scary to bike to me, but that may just have been my take driving it..