A catenary idler comprises a cable, a plurality of bearing surfaces disposed along a length of the cable, and a plurality of rollers disposed over the plurality of bearing surfaces. The plurality of bearing surfaces are fixed to the cable. The plurality of bearing surfaces may be a plurality of clamps. The plurality of rollers are rotatably supported upon the plurality of bearing surfaces. The cable may be rotatably supported at its ends. The catenary idler may include a first compression spring at a first end of the cable and a second compression spring at a second end of the cable. The rollers may be formed of an oil filled nylon. A conveyor belt impact bed includes a frame, a plurality of catenary idlers supported upon the frame, and a conveyor belt supported upon the plurality of catenary idlers.