In my view, not so different from burning out versus fading away, as someone once said. Still the searcher must ride the dark horse, racing along in his fright. So, my interpretation of Neil's meaning in this line is that he's still searching for a way of life that feels right, he doesn't want to settle for what is expected of him. To the contrary, he feels compelled to go with what others think is unlikely to bring him success, and to run from the usual responsibilities and demands that others attempt to tie him down with. I prefer to understand this as a comment on the nature of free agency, inboth professional sports and life itself.
Sugar Mountain is about a young person waiting to leave home and accept new freedom.